Novartis Launches Access Program With 15 Drugs

Novartis last week launched a program to provide 15 drugs in Kenya, Ethiopia and Vietnam, with plans to eventually expand to 30 low- and middle-income countries.

The portfolio includes patented medicines such as Diovan (valsartan) for hypertension, Galvus (vildagliptin) for diabetes and Femara (letrozole) for breast cancer. Also included are 12 generics from Novartis subsidiary Sandoz. The products — selected based on the World Health Organization’s essential medicines list — will be provided to governments at a cost of $1 per treatment per month.  

Other drugmakers have established access programs. GlaxoSmithKline slashed drug prices in developing countries in March 2009, Merck cut prices of its HIV drugs in poorer nations and Roche made treatments for diabetes and breast, ovarian and cervical cancers more affordable in sub-Saharan Africa. Novartis Access is different, says spokeswoman Elizabeth Power, because it is scalable to expand to other countries and products. — Kellen Owings