Safety and Efficacy of Deferasirox in Patients With Transfusion Dependent Iron Overload - a Non-comparative Extension Study

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients Currently participating in the 9-month comparative prolongation of extension phase of the original study. * Patients currently participating in the food-effect sub-study, according to amendment 3. * Ability to provide written informed consent prior to participation in this non-comparative extension study. * Female patients sexually active must use double-barrier contraception, oral contraceptive plus barrier contraceptive, or must have undergone clinically documented total hysterectomy and/or ovariectomy, or tubal ligation. * Body weight of at least 35 kg. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or breastfeeding patients. * History of non-compliance to medical regimens and patients who are considered potentially unreliable. * Proteinuria \> 300 mg/L second void morning urine. * Patients with serum creatinine above the upper limit normal. Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.