Novartis Upholds Commitment to Malaria and Leprosy Medicines Amid Funding Cuts

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.)