ABUJA (Health Ministry’ Report) – Novartis Access pharmaceutical industry has indicated interest to partner with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the treatment of Non- Communicable diseases (NCDs).
This was disclosed by the Head, Novartis Access West and Central Africa, Fayelle Ouane while meeting with the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole in Abuja lately.
Ouane said that Novartis Access is a new medicine programme of the Novartis group aimed at improving access to medicines to treat important non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low income countries.
She explained that Novartis Access portfolio include 15 generic and originator medicines to treat cardiovascular, diabetes type 2, respiratory illnesses and breast cancer.
She further said that the medicines were selected based on 3 criteria: high unmet need, medical relevance and lack of local access progammes, adding that for each disease condition, the objective is to offer a diverse set of treatment options for proven and first line treatments as well as for more innovating treatments.
According to her, “The offer would be available for governments, NGOs, other public sectors and faith based institutions in the low income countries at the price of $1 per treatment per month”.
She said that similar programme was launched in Kenya and Ethiopia, stressing that the experiences acquired in those countries would be used to guide the expansion of the programme in 30 more countries including Nigeria.
In his response, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole who applauded the initiative said that the Ministry would further study the concept and discuss the possibility of the partnership.
He urged Novartis Group to also extend the partnership request to state governments as the Federal Government is working toward achieving Universal Health Coverage.
