Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) announced plans to expand its Standing in the Gaap program, an initiative focused on addressing treatment gaps for multiple myeloma patients in underserved communities. The program, first introduced in 2016, will now extend its reach to a wider group of patients.
As part of the expansion, the pharmaceutical company is conducting what it describes as one of the largest multiple myeloma surveys in the United States, involving more than 1,000 patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. The goal of the survey is to better understand the factors contributing to disparities in care throughout the treatment journey.
The survey was developed in collaboration with several patient advocacy groups, including the International Myeloma Foundation, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, HealthTree Foundation, Blood Cancer United, and Black Health Matters.
According to the company, the Standing in the Gaap program has reached over 5,000 participants through more than 50 educational events and has built an online community of nearly 60,000 members since its launch. The initiative originally focused on the challenges faced by African American patients living with multiple myeloma.
“Even the most advanced treatments can fall short if patients aren’t represented in research, can’t access care or struggle to navigate the healthcare system,” said Andrew Whitehead, Vice President and Head of Population Health at Bristol Myers Squibb.
Bristol Myers Squibb said it intends to share the survey’s findings with healthcare stakeholders and use the insights to guide future partnerships and programs aimed at improving care for multiple myeloma patients. The expanded initiative will rely on community-informed strategies designed to promote more equitable access to treatment.