Novartis signs commitment with WHO to provide leprosy drugs

Novartis has agreed with the World Health Organization (WHO) to continue its efforts to eliminate leprosy.

"Novartis has agreed with the World Health Organization (WHO) to continue its efforts to eliminate leprosy.

The Basel, Switzerland-based drugmaker has signed a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the WHO to provide free multidrug therapy (MDT) leprosy drugs to all countries worldwide.

The donation to the WHO, valued at about US$26m, will treat an estimated 1.1 million leprosy patients over the next five years. Novartis will also provide up to US$2.5m over the same period to cover costs incurred by the WHO for handling the donation and logistics.

‘Over the past 10 years, we have worked with the WHO to provide free treatment to leprosy patients globally. We have made tremendous progress, but the battle has not yet been completely won,’ said Joseph Jimenez, ceo of Novartis.

‘We are committed to ensuring that patients receive the medications they need and we intend to contribute to this programme until the final elimination of this debilita