Making heart disease and cancer drugs affordable in Kenya
Novartis Access has launched in in Kenya. It will be the first country to benefit from a portfolio of 15 affordable medicines to treat cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and breast cancer
The Novartis portfolio is being offered to the Kenyan government, non-governmental organisations and other public-sector healthcare providers for $1 (65p) per treatment, per month.
Joerg Reinhardt, chairman of the board of Novartis, said: "Novartis and Kenya have a relationship of more than 40 years, so I am delighted that Kenyan patients will be the first to benefit from Novartis Access.
"The successful implementation of the program in Kenya will be essential to guide the expansion of Novartis Access to other countries in the future."
In conjunction with the launch of the access portfolio and to support effective treatment of chronic diseases in Kenya, Novartis will partner with the Kenyan Ministry of Health, the Kenyan Red Cross, the Kenyan Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and other key stakeholders.
Novartis said these collaborations are intended to support the healthcare system through measures such as reinforcing drug distribution channels and training healthcare workers to diagnose and treat chronic illnesses.
Boston University in the US is also collaborating with Novartis to measure the impact on health in Kenya and steer ongoing development of Novartis Access.
Margaret Kenyatta, first lady of the Republic of Kenya, said "I am excited by the proactive steps being taken by our government and Novartis in the fight against cancer and other chronic diseases.
"Novartis Access complements the advocacy campaign I have been undertaking together with other African First Ladies to expand access to prevention and treatment for people with chronic diseases."
Following Kenya, Novartis Access will be launched in Ethiopia and Vietnam.
Over the coming years, Novartis plans to roll out Novartis Access to 30 countries, depending on demand.