Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation and Walgreens Launch New Copay Assistance Initiative for Cancer Patients

Financial strain remains one of the most common, and least visible, barriers to cancer treatment. Even insured patients can struggle with oncology medication co-pays, often leading to delayed or interrupted care. In response, we are collaborating with Walgreens on a new co-pay assistance initiative that will help eligible patients obtain access to critical oncology medications to help relieve added financial stress.

When we talk about cancer care, we often focus on the defining chapters of the cancer journey: the diagnosis, the first infusion, the final scan. But for many patients, the most decisive moments are quieter and far more routine, like standing at a pharmacy counter, opening a medication bottle, or deciding whether they can afford to refill a prescription on time.

Cancer treatment is rarely a single intervention. It is a long, complex process that depends on consistency. Oral oncology medications, supportive therapies, and maintenance drugs must be taken exactly as prescribed, often for months or years. Missing doses, delaying refills, or stopping treatment early for financial reasons can have serious consequences for outcomes, side effects, and overall quality of life.

Medication continuity is one of the most under-recognized challenges in cancer care. Patients often face significant obstacles that make it difficult to stay on treatment, including managing side effects, navigating complex medication schedules, and coping with the emotional toll of cancer. For many, however, the greatest barrier is financial. Even patients with insurance are frequently caught off guard by the high co-payments associated with oncology medications. These costs can fluctuate unexpectedly, change mid-treatment, or increase at the very moment when patients are least able to absorb them. Faced with impossible choices between paying for medication and covering basic living expenses, some patients ration pills, delay refills, or quietly stop taking their medication altogether—often without informing their care team.

This is where pharmacists, particularly those experienced in oncology care, play a critical and often unsung role. Oncology pharmacists are not simply dispensing medication; they are educators, advocates, and safeguards. They help patients understand how and when to take their medications, manage side effects, navigate prior authorizations, and identify potential interactions. Just as importantly, they are often the first to see when cost becomes a barrier and the first to help look for solutions.

Financial assistance programs are one of those solutions. When designed thoughtfully, they can mean the difference between a patient staying on treatment or falling behind. They reduce stress at the pharmacy counter, preserve dignity, and allow patients to focus their energy where it belongs: on healing.

At the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation, we see firsthand how financial strain can destabilize even the most carefully planned treatment journey. That is why expanding access to practical, patient-centered support has always been central to our mission. Financial assistance, especially assistance that supports uninterrupted access to medical care, medications, and wraparound support services is fundamental to care.

As cancer treatment continues to evolve, so must the systems that support patients beyond the clinic walls. Ensuring that patients can afford, access, and consistently take their prescribed medications requires collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to putting patients first. When healthcare organizations, pharmacies, and nonprofits work together, the impact can be profound—even if it’s not always visible.