07:57 AM EDT, 05/22/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb ( BMY ) said Wednesday it has drawn up a 10-year strategy to expand patient access to its medicines in low- and middle-income countries.

Under the 10-year program, Bristol-Myers said it has introduced local brands of its medicines in countries like Thailand to make these more affordable. Five local brands have gained regulatory approvals, the company said.

The company also said that in 80 low-and middle-income countries where it doesn't have a commercial presence, it is providing access to 12 medicines through the direct import pathway, while it will initiate direct-to-institution efforts in five low- and middle-income countries in East and West Africa as well as in Pakistan in 2025 and will scale to more than 15 such countries by 2026.

Bristol-Myers said it has also partnered with the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition to expand access to Opdivo, its immuno-oncology therapy, in select countries including Pakistan, Rwanda, and Zambia, with a plan to add multiple other countries by 2026.

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