French drugmakerSanofiwill provide 30 treatments, including insulin, to 40 low-income countries on a not-for-profit basis, the first step in the company's plan to increase global access to its medicines.
The treatments will beoffered under the new Impact brand, whichSanofi launched last year as part ofSanofi's global health division, outside of the commercial business.
Sanofi said the plan also includes a US$25 million (RM110 million) impact fund, which will be used to support local start-up healthcare businesses and provide training on drug use.
“There are a lot of different companies rushing to get into this space right now...but investing in entrepreneurship and ecosystems is a new thing,” said Jon fairrest, head of global health.
Existing treatments are listed on the World Health Organisation's list of essential medicines, especially insulin, which the UN agency has listed as a life-saving drug for people with diabetes.The burden of disease is increasing in many low-income countries where insulin is difficult to obtain.
The list also includes generic treatments for diseases such as cancer, high blood pressure, malaria and tuberculosis.Sanofi did not provide details on how much the new initiative will reduce drug prices.
The countries involved are mainly in Africa, from Niger to Zimbabwe.Conflict-affected countries such as Syria and some Asian countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar are also participating in the initiative.
