As a leading medicines company, Novartis Malaysia’s purpose is to help 32 million Malaysians live longer and happier by ensuring access of treatments to patients across key therapeutic areas.

Beyond patients, the organization further committed to keeping Malaysian frontliners and at-risk communities safe during the Covid-19 pandemic.

From 2020 to 2021, Novartis Malaysia contributed over RM3mil, keeping nearly 210,300 frontline healthcare workers and vulnerable communities nationwide safe from the outbreak.

Through Mercy Malaysia, the donation went on to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand sanitizers for 20 hospitals nationwide in 2020, rapid test kits for at-risk communities and hardware support for vaccination centers.

In recognition of its commitment to Malaysians, the company was recently recognized by the American Chambers of Commerce at its AMCHAM Cares 2021 awards. At the luncheon reception, Country President and Managing Director Patrik Grande received the award on behalf of the company.

Grande remarked that it has been nearly 2 years since the pandemic, during which healthcare front-liners have been overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients and from vulnerable communities.

“As Covid situation transitions from pandemic to endemic, we intend to remain vigilant and support Malaysia and her peopole as needed,” added Grande.

MERCY Malaysia has stepped forward to help these communities since the pandemic began by supporting health authorities to prevent and control infection, equipping rapid responders in investigations, contact tracing and testing, promoting good health and hygiene to reduce risk, and ensuring food security and livelihood protection to reduce the risk of hunger and mental illness.

“We wish to thank Novartis Malaysia for their contribution in support of the MERCY Malaysia COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan. The donation has helped our efforts in mitigating the spread of the virus and extended much needed assistance to ease the burden to the country’s healthcare services.

Along the way, MERCY Malaysia was able to enhance our knowledge on humanitarian response, ensuring that vital services were delivered to vulnerable population within the crucial period,”said Malcolm George William Chapman, MERCY Malaysia Executive Director.

Supporting Global COVID-19 Recovery Efforts

Globally, Novartis has also dedicated its efforts to combating Covid-19 such as by ensuring the stability of global healthcare systems with clinical including the commitment to donating up to USD40million to support communities around the world impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The RM3mil contributed by Novartis Malaysia is accessed from this pool of global funding set-up specifically for Covid-19.

Additionally, Novartis is also helping to support the global supply of vaccines and therapeutics. By leveraging our production facilities, we are actively working with our global partners including the Covid-19 Therapeutics Accelerator, coordinated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust and Mastercard, as well as a partnership supported by the Innovative Medicines, and also participating with the University of California, Berkeley, and other pharmaceutical companies to develop an antiviral molecule to potentially treat all coronaviruses, including the virus that causes Covid-19.

The pandemic has affected all of us and only through collaborative efforts, will we be able to come out on the other side.