Novartis comes up with portfolio for Developing Nations

ZURICH, Sept 24 Novartis AG launched a portfolio of 15 medicines to treat chronic diseases in low- and low-middle-income countries, the drugmaker said in a statement on Thursday.

Other pharmaceutical companies have publicized similar efforts to trim drug costs in the developing world.

Novartis said that the portfolio deals with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses and breast cancer.

Novartis chose Vietnam, Ethiopia and Kenya for the great but diverse challenge of access they represent and because the company already has a very strong presence with organizations that are non-government in the three countries.

Poor healthcare infrastructure and little education about disease, as well as cost, are among the obstacles many people in developing countries face in gaining access to advanced drugs. In a fact sheet about the new program, Novartis stated that donations are important “but not scalable enough to make a lasting impact”. Novartis said it believes its unique approach to improving access to potentially life-saving medicines will be commercially sustainable over the long term, enabling it to provide continuous support in these regions. “We know we will need to keep an open mind set and learn as we progress on this journey”.

Around 28 million people die from chronic diseases in low- and middle-income countries every year, accounting for 75% of such deaths globally. The choice was made based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Essential Medicines List and the drugs are also the most prescribed medicines in the 30 countries that will benefit from the reduced rates.

The announcement was timed to coincide with the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit that begins tomorrow in New York. There, global leaders will discuss access to healthcare as among the key issues facing the wellbeing of poor and disenfranchised populations.