Novartis extends tuberculosis drug donation to Tanzania>
Novartis extends tuberculosis drug donation to Tanzania
(Thomson Reuters ONE) - Corporate news announcement processed and transmitted by Hugin AS.The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ * Dr. Vasella signs Memorandum of Understanding to continue tuberculosis drug donation to Tanzania * Donation includes 250,000 treatments worth USD 6 million over the next three to four years * Affirmation of overall commitment of Novartis to improve access to medicines in developing countriesBasel, July 7, 2009 - Novartis announced today, the officialextension of its tuberculosis (TB) drug donation to Tanzania.Novartis has already delivered nearly 250,000 TB treatments toTanzania between 2005 and 2008. With the new Memorandum ofUnderstanding, Novartis committed to extend the donation, deliveringanother 250,000 treatments over the next 3 to 4 years. This donationis worth about USD 6 million and aimed to treat an estimated 60,000patients per year.Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis, also discussed withPresident Kikwete the ongoing Novartis commitment to improve accessto medicines for patients in developing countries. Activities ofNovartis and its foundation range from research projects to drugdonations, social marketing programs and training of healthcare staffin various disease areas such as malaria, leprosy, and TB. Klaus M.Leisinger, President and CEO of the Novartis Foundation forSustainable Development, who was also present at the meeting,addressed the role of the national government which is crucial inimproving access to healthcare. "Addressing the health problems of the developing world is complexand challenging,", said Dr Vasella, "No single player can besuccessful. To make a meaningful and sustainable impact for patientsin the developing world, governments, international institutions,industry, and civil society must join forces."TB, a highly infectious disease, continues to claim nearly twomillion victims per year mostly in developing countries. The diseaseis very complex to treat, requiring a combination of drugsadministered over six to eight months. A lack of patient complianceduring this lengthy period has led to the emergence ofmulti-drug-resistant (MDR) TB. The recommended treatment for TB bythe World Health Organization is DOTS (Directly Observed TherapyShort-course), an approach that requires patients to take theirmedicines under direct daily observation by a medical professional.In Tanzania, the Novartis Foundation has taken DOTS one step further.The Patient-Centered TB Treatment (PCT) gives patients the choice tofollow treatment either at a health facility or at home supervised bya family member. First results showed that 88% of TB patients chosehome-based treatment. Although patients are not observed by trainedpersonnel every day, treatments improved from 72% to 78% compared tothe old approach. PCT was first introduced to three pilot districts:Arusha Municipal, Kahama, and Mufindi districts. The foundation worksclosely with the Tanzanian National Tuberculosis Program of theTanzanian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.Apart from this work on the ground, Novartis also conducts researchon TB through the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD) inSingapore. The main objective is to develop a novel treatment againstmulti-drug-resistant TB, and to reduce the long treatment duration.The TB drug donation will be carried out in cooperation with theglobal Stop TB Partnership initiative.About the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable DevelopmentThe Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development plans andsupports projects designed to strengthen and secure essentialhealthcare provision for the poor in developing countries. Throughits events and publications, it seeks to promote dialogue ondevelopment policy between public and private-sector institutions. Bymeans of scientific analyses, it helps to define the nature andlimits of corporate social responsibility, particularly forpharmaceutical companies. For further information, please visitwww.novartisfoundation.org.About NovartisNovartis AG provides healthcare solutions that address the evolvingneeds of patients and societies. Focused solely on healthcare,Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs:innovative medicines, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventivevaccines, diagnostic tools and consumer health products. Novartis isthe only company with leading positions in these areas. In 2008, theGroup's continuing operations achieved net sales of USD 41.5 billionand net income of USD 8.2 billion. Approximately USD 7.2 billion wasinvested in R&D activities throughout the Group. Headquartered inBasel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately98,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140countries around the world. For more information, please visithttp://www.novartis.com. # # #Novartis Media Relations+-------------------------------------------------------------------+| Central media line : +41 61 324 | || 2200 | ||---------------------------------+---------------------------------|| Eric Althoff | Sabina Matter || Novartis Global Media Relations | Novartis Foundation for || +41 61 324 7999 (direct) | Sustainable Development || +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) | +41 61 697 71 17 (direct) || eric.althoff(at)novartis.com | +41 79 833 9886 (mobile) || | sabina.matter(at)novartis.com |+-------------------------------------------------------------------+e-mail: media.relations(at)novartis.comhttp://hugin.info/134323/R/1327425/312723.pdf --- End of Message ---Novartis International AGPosfach Basel WKN: 904278; ISIN: CH0012005267; Index: SLCI, SMI, SPI, SLIFE;Listed: Main Market in SIX Swiss Exchange, ZLS in BX Berne eXchange;
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Datum: 07.07.2009 - 07:15 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
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