Novartis has announced that it will continue to produce medications for malaria and leprosy, despite potential disruptions in global orders due to cuts in international aid. The company is set to maintain its annual production of 28 million courses of malaria treatments, offering them at not-for-profit prices. This commitment comes amidst concerns over declining orders, particularly from the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), as noted by Reuters.

Novartis's president of global health, Dr. Lutz Hegemann, emphasized the company's strategy to avoid creating supply bottlenecks and ensure medicine availability regardless of demand signals. Despite an interruption earlier this year, when PMI orders were temporarily stopped by the U.S. government, operations quickly resumed, underscoring Novartis's dedication to its production goals. In parallel, the company continues its practice of donating leprosy drugs through the World Health Organization and supports the Global Fund in supplying antimalarials.

The company has ramped up its research and development efforts, planning to nearly double its initial R&D investment to $490 million by 2025. This funding is aimed at combating diseases such as malaria, dengue, leishmaniasis, and Chagas, and includes the development of the first malaria treatment suitable for newborns. Dr. Hegemann has also called for more collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and governments in lower-income countries, advocating for public-private partnerships as a sustainable way forward.