In many countries, the only treatment available to melanoma patients is traditional chemotherapy, and in some countries, no options exist at all. Additionally, in some places where newer, more effective treatments are available, they are at times offered at such a cost as to be inaccessible by large portions of the population. This disparity results in drastically different outcomes for patients based on where they are located and if they have the resources to cover the cost of the drugs or to travel to a location where they are available.

The Patient Advocacy and Access to Treatment Working Group is working to develop and share effective methods and programs to advocate for the benefit of the melanoma community. These efforts include advocating with governments, pharmaceutical companies, health systems, academia, and other appropriate bodies, in addition to:
 

• Expediting safely/adequately reviewed governmental drug approvals, access to clinical trials, working with insurance companies, and other similar topics, including prevention messaging.
   

• Overseeing the collection and evaluation of resources, ultimately making them available to the worldwide melanoma community through the Global Coalition website.
   

  • The objective is to share existing content created by the members of the coalition and other appropriate channels, including government publication, pharmaceutical company, academia, and public resources, etc.
     

• Assist advocates in each country through training and education to identify, work with and successfully gain approvals with HTAs and government bodies to ensure treatment access.
   

• Share best practices and resources to educate and mobilize advocates on behalf of the melanoma community.