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Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has rolled out an EMI scheme for cancer patients in order to help them continue the treatment and meet the high cost of medication.
The Mumbai-based company has included its two drugs — Abirapro prescribed for prostate cancer and Evermil, indicated for different cancers, such as breast and renal cell carcinoma — under the scheme.
Currently, Abirapro 250 mg in 120-pack size is priced at Rs 39,990. The drug in a 60-pack size costs Rs 19,995 and 30-pack size at Rs 9,998.
The company’s 10-tablet pack of 10 mg Evermil tablets is priced at Rs 29,965 while the 5 mg tablets in 10 tablet pack is priced at Rs 19,900.
“High drug cost is one of the primary reasons for patients not completing treatment or dropping out of treatment. While Glenmark Oncology supports select needy patients with free drug support, EMI is one step forward to help patients stay on treatment,” Glenmark Pharmaceuticals President & Head — India Business Sujesh Vasudevan told PTI.
The company also plans to introduce a flexi payment scheme for other high-value cancer drugs very soon, he added.
Both Abirapro and Evermil need to be taken for long durations of time ranging from a few months to over a year or more. Both the drugs are critical for the survival of patients.
“Due to the high price of these two brands many patients are not able to take the full treatment or because of the price many are avoiding proper treatment,” Vasudevan said.
In order to support patients, the company is rolling out the flexi pay initiative in 12 cities —— Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore, Jaipur, New Delhi and Chandigarh.
Under the scheme, patients have the option of an EMI tenure of three months, six months and nine months. They can use credit cards at select locations to buy the drugs. No processing fee is levied on the patients for this transaction.
“Oncology is a focus therapeutic segment for us, not only in India but also globally. Our effort will be to continue to expand our cancer patient base and make a difference in their lives,” Vasudevan said.
Around 12,000 deaths occur due to prostate cancer in the country every year and only about 10-15 per cent patients get complete treatment for the disease.
Besides, about 29,000 patients are diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma every year in India. Around 1.56 lakh cases of Metastatic breast cancer were diagnosed last year in the country.
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