BY CHERYL M. LUIS
ONE OF the leading research-based pharmaceutical companies in the country, Novartis, discovers breakthrough treatments and finds new ways to deliver them to patients in the Philippines. Novartis is committed to improving and extending people’s lives through partnerships, research and impact valuation.
It practices Transformative Innovation by addressing the evolving needs of patients in Cardiovascular & Metabolism, Immunology & Dermatology, Neuroscience, Oncology & Hematology, Retina & Ophthalmology, and Respiratory.
Its priorities include introducing emerging market brands for the treatment of heart failure and psoriasis; providing Kidney Transplant Package to qualified PhilHealth members; collaborating with World Health Organization (WHO) to support the National Malaria Control Program; and offering affordable and high-quality medicines and biosimilars to Filipinos through the Sandoz Division.
Partnering for health
It embarks on public-private partnerships and develops physical facilities to improve patients’ access to healthcare services in the Philippines.
The company partnered with the Philippines Department of Health (DOH) to develop the Leprosy Alert Response Network and Surveillance System (LEARNS), the country’s first mobile phone-based leprosy referral system, which helps reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment. Together with the DOH, ICanServe Foundation, and Philippine Hospital Association, Novartis promotes breast cancer awareness through the development of patient education videos.
With the National Committee for Sight Preservation (NCSP), Vitreo-Retina Society of the Philippines (VRSP), and The Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF), Novartis co-organized the Collaboration to Preserve Sight initiative to promote awareness on eye health, intensify vision screening, and prevent vision impairment and blindness among underserved communities. The company organized Universal Health Care Forums and established Heart Failure Clinics and a Service Delivery Network to strengthen the local healthcare system.
Strengthening research capabilities
Novartis invested P105 million in research and development across multiple therapeutic areas such as respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolism, immunology, dermatology, ophthalmology, and oncology. To date, the company has completed 23 local clinical trials involving 186 patients.
Financial and social impact
Novartis contributed P8.3 billion to the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020, of which 15% stems from research development.1 In terms of social impact; it contributed P2.4 billion, reaching 2.2 million patients locally. It also employs Filipinos and regional leadership exposure to local talents. It created a total of 9183 local jobs in 2020, which translates to 477 more jobs for every direct employee. The company also develops local scientists through the Next Generation Scientist (NGS) program.
During the height of the pandemic, Novartis supported its associates with an allowance for a home office set-up, provided medical supplies, and facilitated COVID-19 vaccination through the City Government of Makati.
Nationwide pandemic response
It donated over P20 million to support frontline workers and patients, and expand the local healthcare system’s COVID-19 testing and treatment capacity. The donation was used to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE), test kits, and food packs.
To help patients cope with pandemic travel restrictions, the company collaborated with partner providers for the home delivery of medicines. Novartis also co-organized webinars to promote vaccine awareness and address vaccine hesitancy.
Novartis is committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Cheryl M. Luis is the wife of George N. True II. Like her husband, she advocates health and lifestyle writing and vows to continue “Health Frontiers” as her husband’s legacy./PN
