Bristol-Myers Squibb Responds to ABC News

We take great care to price our medicines based on the cost to develop them, the scientific innovation they represent, and the value they deliver to patients and physicians. We are committed to helping patients get access to our innovative medicines, and have a variety of programs in place to help do this. For Sprycel, we have robust patient assistance programs in place, including:

  • BMS Access Support™, which is a Bristol-Myers Squibb Reimbursement Support Program. It offers patient assistance support, benefits investigation, prior authorization support and appeals assistance. For more information in the U.S., patients can call the toll-free number at 800-861-0048 or visit www.bmsaccesssupport.com.
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb also offers eligible patients with co-pay assistance during their treatment with Sprycel. New Sprycel patients will receive a 30 day trial, and after the trial for those patients who qualify for co-pay assistance, they will pay no more than $25 per monthfor as long as the doctor prescribes, with a maximum annual benefit of $25,000. Patients whose prescriptions are covered in full or in part by any state or federally funded program, including but not limited to Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, Veterans Affairs (VA), or Department of Defense (DOD) programs, are not eligible for the co-pay assistance program, in accordance with the terms of those programs. Additional restrictions apply. Patients and healthcare providers interested in learning more can call 1-877-526-7334 or visit SPRYCEL.com.

Separate from these programs, the company also donates Sprycel to the Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc., an independent non-profit organization that helps uninsured patients get Bristol-Myers Squibb prescription medicines free of charge. To qualify, patients must meet certain eligibility criteria. For Sprycel, patients must be uninsured, reside in the US, and have a household income of less than $150,000 annually. Patients with Medicare Part D coverage may qualify for assistance if they meet the income and residency eligibility criteria and can demonstrate that they have spent 3% of their annual income out of pocket on prescription medicine. Further information is available here.

Additionally, Bristol-Myers Squibb donates to non-profit independent co-pay foundations that help underinsured cancer patients with their out-of-pocket disease related expenses that are not covered by their insurance plans, regardless of treatment selected. Medicare patients may qualify for this type of assistance, depending on the independent criteria established by these organizations.

Sarah Koenig