Novartis Scraps Fees of Covid-19 Drugs for Developing Countries

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The 15 drugs include several antibiotics, the steroid dexamethasone that has seen some success in treating severe Covid-19 cases, heart failure drug dobutamine, antifungal fluconazole, and lung drug salbutamol, among others.

Hegemann did not give the "no profit" cost of the drugs, compared with commercial prices.

The medicines have been around for decades and are comparatively cheap to make.

"Novartis should publish the actual 'at cost prices' for these medicines, as well as any costs of R&D and costs of production for all of their medicines," a Doctors Without Borders spokesperson said.

"Additionally, we hope that corporations like Novartis will follow similar 'no profiteering' initiatives for any new Covid-19 products." 

(Writer: John Miller | Editor: Jane Merriman, Mark Potter)

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-novartis-generics/novartis-to-provide-no-profit-covid-19-drugs-to-low-income-countries-idUSKCN24H0KY