Novartis senior executives gathered in Basel, Switzerland for the first-ever Novartis Africa Day to review the company’s innovative work in Africa, including growing
commercial activity, novel approaches to expand access to high-quality,
affordable medicines, local talent development and the company’s Malaria
Initiative.
Novartis
employs a range of activities on the African continent with the aim of
becoming the leading healthcare company in Africa. Programs discussed at today’s event were Sandoz Health Shops in Zambia, the
Novartis Malaria Initiative and SMS for Life.
"Sandoz Health Shops have the potential to reach more than 2.5 million
patients over the next four years. The Novartis Malaria Initiative has
provided more than 600 million antimalarial treatments, without profit,
to more than 60 malaria-endemic countries. In addition, SMS for Life has
reduced wait times and stock-outs for antimalarial medicines from three
months to a few days and from 79% to less than 26% in three districts
in Tanzania," Novartis said in a statement.
“Novartis
is taking an outcomes approach, looking beyond therapeutic solutions to
a focus on new technologies, new commercial models, education and
training,” says Joseph Jimenez, Chief Executive Officer of Novartis, who
will open the event. “As the continent increasingly grapples with the
dual healthcare burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, we
believe we can make a significant difference in improving lives as the
demand for healthcare rises.”
It said Africa
faces immense challenges in its efforts to provide adequate healthcare
to its people.
"The continent is home to one-seventh of the world’s
population, shoulders one-quarter of the global disease burden, but it
has only two percent of the world’s doctors and less than one percent of
global health expenditure," it said.
It added: "Life expectancy is 15 years less than
the global average. Africa is also at a turning point as it begins
to be challenged by a dual disease burden – both communicable diseases
that have historically plagued the continent, such as malaria, and
non-communicable diseases that are on the rise due to lifestyle changes,
such as diabetes. Low levels of disease awareness, declining
infrastructure and poor distribution channels further compound Africa’s
problems."
Novartis provides
innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of
patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis
offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative
medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive
vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health
products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in
these areas.
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