AS the Philippines deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, Novartis Healthcare Philippines is taking concrete steps to help ensure sustained supply of essential life-saving medicines to patients and support the country’s Covid-19 response led by the Department of Health (DoH). To help expand the country’s Covid-19 testing capacity, Novartis donated P19.3 million to the Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation for the purchase of locally produced Covid-19 test kits. Novartis has started the Ruxolitinib compassionate use program for Covid-19 patients in the Philippines. Pre-clinical and preliminary clinical evidence suggests Ruxolitinib, a well-established Janus kinase inhibitor, could reduce the number of Covid-19 patients requiring intensive care and mechanical ventilation. On April 2, 2020, Novartis Global announced its plan to initiate a clinical study of Ruxolitinib in severe Covid-19 patients.

Source: Manila Times July 19, 2020 17:04 UTC