Novartis AG said on Thursday it will provide 15 drugs that treat chronic diseases for just $1 per treatment per month to government, nonprofit organizations and public healthcare providers in low-income countries.
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Novartis has come under criticism for attempts to extend patents on its drugs and thus preventing generic manufacturers from producing affordable versions for patients in poor countries. The first kits will be launched in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Vietnam.
“This will allow us to support the delivery of medicine by building awareness of key non-communicable diseases and strengthening healthcare system capabilities in these diseases, including diagnosis and treatment”, Novartis said.
The drug list includes the Swiss company’s valsartan used for hypertension, vildagliptin, which is for diabetes, and a number of generic medications from its Sandoz segment including breast cancer fighter tamoxifen. Roche and GlaxoSmithKline have offered life-saving drugs for a reduce price to low-income nations.
Amidst pressure on the overall pharmaceutical industry to provide more, GSK agreed in 2009 to slash its price of drugs for the poor countries of the world. It also factored in its decision its existing presence and linkages to NGOs that are already working in the country.
“This program takes an novel approach to addressing the rising tide of chronic diseases in parts of the world where people often have limited access to healthcare”.
It likely will expand to more countries next year and ultimately could reach 25 to 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
While many companies, including Novartis, have donated medications for malaria, tuberculosis and neglected tropical diseases to low-income countries, this form of charity has its limits.
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Vietnam has seen a recent rise in obesity-related metabolic disorders including Type 2 diabetes especially in urban areas where diets are getting richer and fast-service restaurants are proliferating, according to the global Diabetes Federation.
