Novartis launches new medicine portfolio for poorer countries

Novartis has announced the launch of a new portfolio of affordable medicines specifically aimed at treating chronic diseases in lower-income countries.

The Novartis Access range consists of 15 medicines to treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses and breast cancer. They will be offered to governments, non-governmental organisations and other public sector healthcare providers for $1 per treatment per month.

Consisting of patented and generic medicines, the portfolio will be launched first in Kenya, Ethiopia and Vietnam, with further plans to roll out the programme in 30 countries over the coming years, depending on demand.

The included products have been selected based on the World Health Organization's Essential Medicines List and are among the most commonly prescribed medicines in these countries.

Joerg Reinhardt, chairman of the board of Novartis, said: "Novartis Access is a natural extension of two important contributions our company makes to society: developing innovative medicines that help people fight disease and working to get them to as many people as possible."