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The Max Foundation (Max) has partnered with Eli Lilly and Company to facilitate free access to Verzenio® (abemaciclib), a crucial medication for patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) in Kenya.
This strategic alliance seeks to address health equity concerns by ensuring that life-saving treatment is accessible to those confronting one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women globally.
The economic reality of breast cancer treatment in Kenya underscores the financial burden faced by patients, with basic treatment costs ranging from KES 175,200 to KES 1.98 million. Surgical procedures significantly escalate expenses, reaching between KES 758,000 and KES 2.48 million.
Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, Co-founder, and CEO of The Max Foundation, heralded this collaboration, emphasizing Lilly’s dedication to health equity. “We are delighted to welcome Lilly as a Humanitarian PACT partner in expanding access to advanced breast cancer treatment,” Garcia-Gonzalez exclaimed, recognizing Lilly’s commitment to advancing health equity in marginalized global communities.
Ilya Yuffa, President of Lilly International, echoed this commitment, stating, “At Lilly, we strive to make a positive impact on patients, communities, and the environment, especially in low- and middle-income countries.” This donation aligns with Lilly’s overarching initiative, Lilly 30×30, which aims to enhance healthcare access for 30 million individuals in resource-constrained settings annually by 2030.
Through Max’s innovative humanitarian treatment access model, Max Access Solutions, more than 34,000 patients in 77 low-resource countries are already receiving treatment. Lilly’s collaboration expands these efforts to encompass ten low- and middle-income countries, providing hope and treatment where it is most needed.
Breast cancer, a global concern impacting millions of women, claims approximately 700,000 lives each year. Shockingly, over 55 percent of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the urgent need for accessible treatment. In these nations, challenges in diagnosing and treating breast cancer persist due to limited resources and inadequate access to standard medicines.
Max’s Humanitarian PACT for ABC, a collaborative initiative involving various organizations, including Novartis AG, seeks to address these challenges. Partnerships with entities like the ABC Global Alliance and Novartis AG are underway to strengthen health systems, expand physician networks, and improve diagnostic capabilities, fostering a comprehensive approach to breast cancer management.
For 26 years, The Max Foundation has been at the forefront of global health equity efforts, unwavering in its commitment to providing life-saving treatments to over 100,000 individuals facing cancer and critical illnesses in low- and middle-income countries. With a vision for a world where all people have access to impactful medicines, Max continues to lead the way toward improved healthcare outcomes and dignified lives.
