See the DrugPatentWatch profile for nivolumab

Uninsured status can significantly affect a patient's ability to access Nivolumab, an immunotherapy drug used to treat various types of cancer, including melanoma, lung, and kidney cancers [1]. Nivolumab is marketed under the brand name Opdivo by Bristol Myers Squibb and is known to be expensive, with the cost of a typical course of treatment ranging from $120,000 to $150,000 annually [2].

Patients without health insurance may face significant financial barriers when seeking Nivolumab treatment. Uninsured patients typically pay the full cost of treatment out-of-pocket, which can be prohibitively expensive [3]. Additionally, uninsured patients may not have access to the same level of care as insured patients due to limited financial resources [4].

Furthermore, uninsured patients may not have access to the same level of support services as insured patients. For example, insured patients may have access to case managers or social workers who can help them navigate the complex healthcare system, including assistance with insurance and financial issues [5].

Moreover, uninsured patients may not have access to clinical trials, which can provide an opportunity to receive cutting-edge treatments like Nivolumab [6]. Clinical trials often require patients to have health insurance, and uninsured patients may be excluded from participation [7].

In summary, uninsured status can significantly affect a patient's ability to access Nivolumab due to financial barriers, limited access to support services, and exclusion from clinical trials.

Sources:

1. National Cancer Institute. "Nivolumab." <https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/nivolumab>.
2. GoodRx. "Opdivo (Nivolumab) Prices, Coupons and Patient Assistance Programs." <https://www.goodrx.com/opdivo>.
3. Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. "Key Facts about the Uninsured Population." <https://www.kff.org/uninsured/issue-brief/key-facts-about-the-uninsured-population/>.
4. National Institute of Health Care Management. "Access to Care for the Uninsured." <https://www.nihcm.org/access-to-care-for-the-uninsured>.
5. American Cancer Society. "Managing the Cost of Cancer Treatment." <https://www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment/managing-the-cost-of-cancer-treatment.html>.
6. National Cancer Institute. "Clinical Trials Information for Patients and Caregivers." <https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/understanding>.
7. Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative. "Improving Access to Clinical Trials for the Underserved." <https://www.ctti-clinicaltrials.org/best-practices/improving-access-clinical-trials-underserved>.
8. DrugPatentWatch. "Opdivo (Nivolumab) Patent Expiration & Generic Entry." <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/opdivo>.