Novartis has launched Novartis Access in Kenya, 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 organizations, and other public-sector healthcare providers for $1 per treatment per month.

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, the Christian Health Association of Kenya, Management Sciences for Health, and other key stakeholders. 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. Novartis is also collaborating with Boston University in the US to measure the impact on health in Kenya and steer ongoing development of Novartis Access.

The Novartis Access portfolio includes patented and generic Novartis medicines. The products have been selected based on the World Health Organization’s Essential Medicines List and are among the most commonly prescribed medicines. 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. Novartis expects this new approach to be commercially sustainable over the long term, enabling continuous support in those regions.

Source: Novartis