MiCare Group, Pfizer Malaysia and Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd. (“Tokio Marine Life”) jointly launched iEMBRACE, a patient assistance programme to support HR+/HER2- mBC patients. Through this programme led by Pfizer and Zuellig Pharma CareConnect, mBC patients can better manage their finances and gain access to innovative medicines.
 
Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer in which the cancer can spread beyond the breast to other organs in the body1. It is the second leading cause of cancer related death among women today2. In Malaysia, affordability remains one of the main barriers faced by patients when it comes to mBC treatments. A survey conducted by the Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia in September 2019 revealed that 80% of respondents believed affordability is the main barrier preventing patients from seeking effective medical treatment3.

Through the collaboration and its common goal of increasing access to innovative medicines and healthcare services at an affordable cost, mBC patients are able to live fulfilling and productive lives despite their ailment.

Based on the BCWA survey, 70% of respondents cited poor awareness of treatment options as one of the major barriers that prevents mBC patients from seeking effective medical treatment, second to affordability.

In light of this, the partnership seeks to leverage each other’s strengths, matching Pfizer’s capabilities in developing innovative medicines and ability to reach out to a wider group of patients through patient programmes with Tokio Marine Life’s policyholders as well as MiCare Group’s network in Malaysia.
 
Moses Hee, SVP CareConnect and CEO of MiCare Group said, “We are excited to partner with Pfizer and Tokio Marine Life to help make healthcare more accessible and affordable to patients in Malaysia. This unique collaboration leverages both our Payor and PatientCare capabilities so that breast cancer patients can easily afford and access treatment options. We hope to expand this offering to other treatment areas as well to ensure all patients in the communities we serve get the healthcare they need.”

1BreastCancer.org. Stages of breast cancer. Retrieved from: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/staging. Last accessed on 4 Jan 2021.

2National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Common Cancer Sites. Retrieved from https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/common.html. Last accessed on 4 Jan 2021.

3Metastatic Breast Cancer Survey by Breast Cancer Welfare Association Malaysia, supported by Pfizer Malaysia. September 2019. Article from The Sun retrieved from https://www.thesundaily.my/style-life/zest/embracing-life-YY1652032. Last accessed on 4 January 2021.