Patients
Novartis puts patients first. We want to create value for all patients, including those who cannot afford treatment. In 2007 our access-to-medicines programs, valued at USD 937 million, reached 66 million patients globally. In the developing world, we extend free leprosy and tuberculosis treatment and offer our antimalarial drug Coartem without profit through multilateral institutions and public-private partnerships.
In the developed world we also provide discounts and assistance programs to patients who need support. We designed one of the most far-reaching patient-assistance programs ever implemented on a global scale for our cancer therapy Gleevec/Glivec.
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Access to medicines
The issue of access to medicines is complex, involving factors including development and health policies, health-system infrastructure and best practices, pricing, rational medicine use and adequate funding.
While the fundamental aspects of healthcare provision are the responsibility of governments and intergovernmental agencies, Novartis whenever possible plays a supporting role to improve patient access to our medicines.
We offer an innovative portfolio of access projects adapted to patient needs, products, partners and countries. Access strategies are systematically integrated into the global marketing of our new drugs.
In the developing world, we have created ground-breaking access programs through partnerships with the World Health Organization (WHO), other procurement agencies and nongovernmental organizations. In the developed world, we offer discounts and assistance programs to patients who lack medical insurance or cannot afford treatment.
Today millions of patients around the world benefit from Novartis initiatives, from drug-donation and research programs to combat neglected diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy to patient-assistance programs that help cancer patients receive the most innovative and effective treatments available.
"A multi-stakeholder approach is part of the success recipe. If you have a government, the WHO, NGOs, and an industry-related foundation like ours at the table, everybody brings things that none of the others have. This raises the quality of the effort and gives rise to synergies and innovation."
Professor Klaus Leisinger, President and CEO, Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development
We recognize that access to medicines is simpler for people who live in affluent, developed societies. We want to be a leader and partner in finding and implementing solutions to help close the access gap between rich and poor.
Sustainable access to medicines in poor countries requires sufficient healthcare infrastructure, distribution and financing. Governments must play principal roles in addressing these problems. However, public-private partnerships are also essential to research new medicines, secure financing and develop critical health-system infrastructure and capabilities.
Learn more about our commitment to access to medicines on our website Citizenship@Novartis
Patient groups
Our commitment to high-quality healthcare has led to partnerships between Novartis and patient groups.
Citizenship in action
The Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative brings hope to AIDS orphans in Africa.
Our products
We are a leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being.