Novartis to donate money and medicine to help Japan earthquake relief

Novartis has announced plans to provide financial support and contributions of medical products to Japan following the recent earthquake and tsunami.

The pharmaceutical company is to contribute the equivalent of more than $3 million (1.86 million pounds) to relief agencies in order to ensure sustainable support is offered to victims of the natural disaster.

This donation includes free supplies of various essential medicines, such as pain-relieving drugs, while the firm has also pledged to match cash contributions to nationally recognised relief organisations made by its employees.

Dr Daniel Vasella, chairman of Novartis, added that the company is working with its Japanese divisions to guarantee business continuity and maintain healthcare services for those in the country.

"It is still difficult to fully comprehend the human impact of the recent natural disaster in Japan, as well as the continued uncertainty hanging over the citizens and residents," he said.

Earlier this week, Novartis announced that its new myelofibrosis treatment INC424 has demonstrated its efficacy in a new phase III clinical trial.