Sandoz supports Zambian government in increasing access to high-quality, affordable medicines through Health Shops
Holzkirchen, Germany, August 24, 2012
On August 20, Sandoz and its subsidiary 1A Pharma announced its support for an innovative initiative by the Zambian government. Called Health Shops, this initiative will allow Sandoz to supply its high-quality, affordable medicines to independently owned and operated rural stores, which are the only healthcare providers in the rural communities of the country. In addition, Sandoz will work with these Health Shops to support quality standards in their shops.
- Zambian Health Shops initiative helps strengthen Sandoz’s ongoing commitment to Sub-Saharan Africa
- Health Shops in Zambia will help the country reach their UN Millennium Development Goals
- Announcement of support celebrated by an official, ribbon cutting ceremony in the presence of the Zambian Deputy Minister of Health and Sandoz officials
“We are very pleased to support the Zambian government on this unique Health Shop initiative,” says Jeff George, Global Head of Sandoz. “This innovative idea will have a significant impact on patient access to high-quality generic medicines in the country’s underserved rural areas.”
In the rural areas of Zambia, where 65% of the country’s over 13 million people live, access to healthcare facilities and services is limited. With a drug distribution network that will be secure and tightly controlled, Sandoz will help ensure a consistent, reliable and safe supply of drugs available to Zambia’s patients and help the country reach several of its United Nations Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
“We are very happy of Sandoz’s support of Zambia and our Health Shops,” says the Honorable Christopher Mulenga, MP; Deputy Minister of Health, Zambia. “And we are confident that through the combined drug portfolio of high-quality Sandoz and 1A Pharma medicines, we will meet the needs of Zambian patients.”
In the first year, it is estimated the Health Shops will potentially reach an estimated 250,000 patients. Further, it is estimated that over the next four years, these health shops could reach an estimated 2.5 million patients.
Disclaimer
The foregoing release contains forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as “initiative”, “idea”, “potentially” or similar expressions. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Sandoz is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Sandoz
Sandoz, a Division of the Novartis group, is a global leader in the field of generic pharmaceuticals, offering a wide array of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by valid and enforceable third-party patents. Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1,000 compounds and sells its products in about 130 countries. Key product groups include cardiovascular medicines, anti-infectives, treatments for central nervous system and alimentary tract disorders, oncology and respiratory therapies, as well as medications for blood and blood forming organ disorders. Sandoz develops, produces and markets these medicines along with pharmaceutical and biotechnological active substances. In addition to strong organic growth in recent years, Sandoz has made a series of acquisitions including Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), and Oriel Therapeutics (US). In 2011, Sandoz employed more than 24,000 people (full-time equivalents) worldwide and achieved net sales of USD 9.5 billion for the full year. For more information, please visit www.sandoz.com
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For more information, please contact:
Rich Dimitriou
Sandoz Global Communications
+49 8024 476 2895 (direct)
rich.dimitriou@sandoz.com
