Novartis as the pharmaceutical partner in the Global Alliance set up by the WHO for the elimination of leprosy takes great pride in having been able to contribute to this achievement. Novartis also designed and tested the first blister calendar packs for MDT to improve patient compliance and treatment success. The company has committed to donate MDT for all patients in the world, through WHO, until at least the end of the year 2005, which will cure between 2.5 to 2.8 million patients. This will guarantee patients' access to high quality drugs over this period. In the first year of our commitment, we have already supplied free treatment for over one million patients.
Novartis collaboration goes beyond the supply of high quality drugs alone.
Since 1986 its Foundation for Sustainable Development has been actively involved in field programs together with national health ministries, WHO, and non-governmental organizations, to encourage patients to come forward and receive treatment. Novartis will continue to work within the Global Alliance in this final push to reducing the leprosy burden in the remaining six countries where the target of elimination has yet to be achieved.