The Max Foundation, an international non-governmental organization dedicated to increasing global access to treatment, care and support for people living with cancer, and Tanner Pharma Group, a global pharma services company that specializes in patient access to critical medication, have partnered to create an innovative distribution model designed to effectively deliver humanitarian donations of oncology products to identified patients in need in low resource countries.

Since 1997, The Max Foundation has provided support and advocacy to people facing life-threatening cancers as well as managing patient access programs. Established in memory of Maximiliano “Max” Rivarola, who fought courageously against chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), The Max Foundation has evolved into a specialized team of highly dedicated individuals spanning a global footprint who work with Ministries of Health, clinics, physicians and patients to support their cancer care and facilitate access to medication. In an effort to expand its reach, The Max Foundation partnered with Tanner Pharma to provide complementary services and complete a class-leading, manufacturer-to-patient supply chain. For its part, Tanner Pharma leverages more than 15 years of pharma services experience to provide regulatory compliance and logistical efficiency, all within an EU-GDP compliant supply chain.

“Over the past two decades, we have partnered with leading pharmaceutical companies who have generously provided access to their products for patients in low resource countries,” said Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, CEO and co-founder of The Max Foundation. “As we advocated for access to life-extending medications, we realized that more companies would be willing to consider humanitarian access if we could provide a model that included drug distribution. By 2015, the need for a turn-key solution to accept donations of medications and deliver them directly to the patient’s healthcare provider was evident. We are excited for how our partnership with Tanner Pharma will inspire increased health equity, preventing unnecessary cancer deaths and increasing patients’ overall survival.” The Max Foundation provides these capabilities with the help of Tanner Pharma, enabling the organization to now channel nine innovative cancer products into leading cancer institutions in 120 countries.

Banks Bourne, Founder and Chairman of Tanner Pharma Group who recently joined The Max Foundation for its fundraising Mt. Kinabalu climb in Malaysia, has supported patient access since 1998 when he was an early investor in King Pharmaceuticals. “At Tanner Pharma, we are honored to add value to the amazing work that Pat and The Max Foundation are doing for cancer patients around the world.” Mr. Bourne added, “Our capabilities complement one another—making our partnership with The Max Foundation a real ‘win-win.’” Each of The Max Foundation’s access collaborations are supported by Tanner Pharma’s Managed Access Program division. “We are passionate about solving problems related to patient access and safety. Our experience in all aspects of pharma supply chain and regulatory compliance has been honed on a global basis, and the satisfaction we receive from working alongside The Max Foundation and patients in low resource countries cannot be measured,” said Rob Keel, Global Director of Managed Access Programs.

The Max Foundation and Tanner Pharma Group have thus far implemented six “Max Access Solutions” involving donated medicines over the past 12 months.