Pfizer Oncology Together: A Support Program for Patients Taking IBRANCE

IBRANCE (palbociclib) is a prescription medicine that is used to treat adults with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced). IBRANCE is used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) as the first hormonal-based therapy in postmenopausal women or in men, or with fulvestrant in people with disease progression following hormonal therapy ¹.

IBRANCE works by blocking the activity of a protein called cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6), which is involved in the growth and division of cancer cells. By inhibiting CDK4/6, IBRANCE slows down the progression of the cancer and delays the need for chemotherapy ².

IBRANCE has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated in clinical trials involving patients with HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer. In these trials, IBRANCE plus an AI or fulvestrant significantly improved the time without disease worsening (progression-free survival) compared to an AI or fulvestrant alone ¹. Moreover, a recent real-world study presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Breast Cancer 2022 Congress demonstrated an associated benefit for patients treated with IBRANCE plus an AI in the first-line setting, as compared to AI alone, in terms of overall survival (the length of time a person lives) ³.

However, taking IBRANCE can also pose some challenges and difficulties for patients, such as managing side effects, coping with emotional stress, accessing financial assistance, and finding support resources. That is why Pfizer created Pfizer Oncology Together, a program that offers comprehensive support for patients taking IBRANCE and their caregivers .

Pfizer Oncology Together provides financial assistance resources to help patients access their prescribed Pfizer Oncology medicine. Depending on the patient’s insurance situation and eligibility, Pfizer Oncology Together may be able to help with:

Co-pay assistance: Patients who have commercial or private insurance may be eligible for co-pay savings on their out-of-pocket costs for IBRANCE. Terms and conditions apply.
Medicare Assistance: Patients who have Medicare/Medicare Part D may receive help finding resources that may be able to help with the cost of IBRANCE.
Uninsured or Underinsured Assistance: Patients who do not have any form of healthcare coverage or have coverage that does not pay for IBRANCE may receive help finding resources that may provide insurance support or free medicines through the Pfizer Patient Assistance Program or other independent charitable foundations.
Other Financial Support: Patients who need extra help with their expenses related to their condition or treatment may receive referrals to independent organizations that may provide assistance for things like transportation, child care, lodging, and more.

Pfizer Oncology Together also provides personalized support and resources to help patients cope with their diagnosis and treatment. These include:

Dedicated Care Champions: Patients can connect with a Care Champion, who is a social worker with oncology experience, who can provide one-on-one support and guidance throughout the patient’s journey.
Treatment Education: Patients can access educational materials and videos to help them understand how IBRANCE works, how to take it, what to expect, and how to manage common side effects.
Emotional Support: Patients can receive referrals to counseling services and emotional support groups where they can share their feelings and experiences with others who understand what they are going through.
Wellness Resources: Patients can find tips and tools to help them improve their physical and mental well-being, such as nutrition advice, exercise programs, meditation apps, and more.

Pfizer Oncology Together is a program that aims to make the support needs of patients taking IBRANCE a priority. By providing financial assistance resources and personalized support and resources, Pfizer Oncology Together helps patients overcome some of the barriers and challenges they may face while taking IBRANCE and improve their quality of life.

To learn more about Pfizer Oncology Together and how it can help you or your loved one, visit [the website] or call 1-877-744-5675 (Monday-Friday 8 AM - 8 PM ET).

References

¹: IBRANCE® | Pfizer : How Does IBRANCE Work? | IBRANCE® (palbociclib) | Safety Info ³: Pfizer Presents Positive Real-World Evidence for First-Line IBRANCE® (palbociclib) Combination Therapy in HR+, HER2- Metastatic Breast Cancer at ESMO Breast Cancer 2022 | Pfizer : Pfizer Oncology Together | Patient