Novartis Upholds Commitment to Malaria and Leprosy Medicines Amid Funding Cuts

Swiss drugmaker Novartis vows to continue producing malaria and leprosy medicines despite global health funding cuts. Committed to maintaining production levels, Novartis is exploring innovative ways to deliver life-saving treatments. The company has pledged nearly $490 million for research and development to advance treatment for tropical diseases by 2025.

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has pledged to continue producing life-saving medicines for malaria and leprosy, even if global health funding dries up.

With an annual output of 28 million malaria treatment courses, Novartis sells these at a not-for-profit price, facing a challenging funding environment due to significant cuts by major donor countries, including the U.S.

The firm is committed to its production volumes and calls for increased collaboration between pharmaceutical companies and recipient countries, pledging a near doubling of its research investment in tropical diseases to $490 million by 2025.

(With inputs from agencies.)