The African initiative and Novartis

Access to health care in the developing world is one of the most urgent challenges in public health today, and Novartis has created a portfolio of programs targeting “neglected” diseases.
An impact has already been made in the battle against malaria with Coartem^®. (Riamet^® is marketed as Coartem^® in parts of the world where malaria is endemic.) It is recommended by the WHO for use in endemic countries experiencing high levels of resistance to conventional medicines and is on the WHO’s Essential Medicines List due to its effectiveness, particularly in areas of widespread drug resistance. Coartem^® is for the treatment, including emergency standby treatment, of malaria infections in endemic areas where the parasites may be resistant to other antimalarials. (Riamet^® is for the treatment of infected travellers returning from endemic areas and can be used as standby emergency treatment by non-immune travellers going to endemic areas. Both are intended to address different medical needs in different countries.) Under a public-private partnership with the WHO formed in 2001, Novartis provides Coartem^®, at no profit, for public-sector use in developing countries where malaria is endemic. Since 2002, more than six million treatments have been provided through the WHO under the pact.

Beyond the traditional role
Going beyond the traditional role of drug supplier, Novartis is supporting many capacity-building initiatives in Zambia. One example is a Malaria Case Management Educational Program held in Lusaka in September 2004, attended by more than 350 health care professionals from around the country. Novartis also is assisting with stock management and forecasting programs – and operational research, to monitor and evaluate the new malaria policy.

The crisis of “neglected” diseases in the developing world is so immense that making a difference for patients requires a substantial joint effort. The project benefited from influential endorsements from international organizations like the WHO, and non-governmental organizations such as Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). Coartem^® also received critical financial backing from major international donors such as the Global Fund and bold policy changes are being made by government officials across Africa.

Novartis malaria initiative meeting