Expanding Access to Healthcare

Through our core business – the discovery, development and marketing of innovative treatments – we have helped prevent and treat diseases, ease suffering and improve quality of life for people worldwide. At the same time, we have been working to get these treatments to more people who need them.

We also have a broad range of access-to-medicine programs that include drug donations, selling at cost, social business initiatives and patient assistance programs. The United Nations’ recently launched Sustainable Development Goals aim to ensure healthy lives for all. We believe we can play a key role by finding new and innovative ways to drive access to our medicines, particularly in developing countries.

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More needs to be done to strengthen healthcare services and to build capacity on the ground. More healthcare workers are needed who can prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as even the most effective treatments have limited impact without skilled healthcare personnel. Importantly, healthcare systems also need strong regulatory systems to support pharmacovigilance, good manufacturing and clinical practices, etc., which are vital to helping lower-income countries improve healthcare capabilities and patient outcomes.

Novartis works to expand healthcare capabilities by combining its scientific expertise with on-the-ground experience. Our local country organizations work to define and implement specific strategies tailored to the local needs.