Sandoz has announced a collaboration to increase access to medicines by donating up to USD 10 million of stock annually to Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization that responds to people affected by poverty or disaster with life-changing health programs, medicine and medical supplies.
The initial donation will include over 25 Sandoz products for treatment for infections, cardiovascular conditions, eyecare, skin conditions and musculoskeletal pain. It is part of the global Sandoz commitment to combine a broad portfolio of off-patent, added-value medicines with innovative services and corporate responsibility programs to improve access to medicine, medical information and medical capacity. Product donations will be made available throughout the year to Americares. The number and selection of products may change based on specific and on-going medical needs.
"Limited access to healthcare poses a significant barrier to long-term social and economic development around the world," said Peter Goldschmidt, President of Sandoz Inc. "Our collaboration with Americares will hopefully help thousands of people receive treatments that would otherwise be unavailable to them. At Sandoz, we are passionate about helping people around the world access high-quality medicine with a particular emphasis on meeting specific health needs in underprivileged communities."
According to the World Health Organization, more than 400 million people lack access to essential health services and more than two billion cannot afford the medicines they need. In addition, with the global population projected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and with most of this growth in developing countries, ensuring broad access to medicine and healthcare is an increasingly critical issue.
"This new collaboration with Sandoz will allow us to increase deliveries of some of the most essential and desperately needed medications to partner hospitals and health clinics in over 90 countries," said Americares President and CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis. "Together we will give more patients in need a pathway to good health and opportunity so they can reach their full potential."