Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Gastrointestinal (GI) Tolerability Study

Inclusion Criteria: * Written informed consent prior to any screening procedures * Male or female patients ≥ 18 years of age * Patient must weigh between 45-135 kg * Patients with low or intermediate (int-1) risk MDS, as determined by IPSS score or RA, RARS by WHO criteria. IPSS must be confirmed by a bone marrow examination within 6 months prior to study entry and must be hematologically stable Deferasirox naïve: Sexually active pre-menopausal female patients must use double-barrier contraception, oral contraceptive plus barrier contraceptive, or must have undergone clinically documented total hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy, tubal ligation Exclusion Criteria: * History or current GI disease * Systemic diseases which could prevent study treatments * Left ventricular ejection fraction\< 50 % by echo cardiography * Serum creatinine \> 1.2 x ULN at screening * Platelet counts \< 25x 109/L except in cases where guidance is already given in the local deferasirox label * AST or ALT \> 2.5 xULN at screening Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply