President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor visits the Novartis Slovenia site in Mengeš that manufactures disinfectant for donations to local communities

In these difficult circumstances, Novartis continues to fulfil its mission caring for patients and ensuring a stable and timely supply of medicines. During his visit, the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor, emphasized the importance of smooth production of medicines and patient supply at home and worldwide: »One of the reasons for my visit today is the social responsibility of Novartis in Slovenia, which during the pandemic, among other things, helps organizations across Slovenia with donations of disinfectant. During the pandemic, I have repeatedly acknowledged all those who tirelessly do their jobs during these times. Therefore, I also thank the employees of Novartis in Slovenia. At the moment, all eyes around the world are also on the pharmaceutical industry as it plays an exceptional role in the development of a potential treatment for the new coronavirus. We must, however, not forget that at the same time they still produce and supply medicines that are vital for many patients around the world. Novartis’ commitment to caring for the employees and supporting local communities reflects the company’s culture and values that are particularly important in times of crisis. I felt this commitment also during today’s visit when I had the opportunity to meet some employees and got to know more about their work. On behalf of our citizens, I also want to thank Novartis for the financial and material support that we have received in Slovenia. I am convinced that with close cooperation, connection and mutual help, we will overcome this crisis.«

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Novartis also places great emphasis on the health and safety of the associates who are key for ensuring smooth production of medicines. At the onset of the pandemic, a number of measures were therefore put in place to protect their health and ensure business continuity. Upon the visit of the President, Borut Pahor, Robert Ljoljo, President of the Board of Management of Lek and Novartis Country President Slovenia, said: »First of all, I would like to thank and commend our associates, those who come daily to work in production and laboratories, as well as those who work from home. Despite the extraordinary circumstances, all of them contribute in various ways to an uninterrupted production and supply of vital medicines and ensure a safe work environment by respecting the measures put in place. Their determination and dedication was also reflected in the disinfectant manufacture project that was the result of a rapid response and outstanding cross-team cooperation from different Novartis sites in Slovenia; that set up production in record time, arranged appropriate packaging and organised filling and distribution of the disinfectants, of which I am extremely proud.« 

Novartis commitment and response to the pandemic

Novartis is deeply dedicated to the global effort to combat Covid-19 and doing our part to support the stability of global healthcare systems as well as local communities around the world, including Slovenia. 

• By creating a global fund of USD 20 million, Novartis supported communities around the world impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. In Slovenia, it donated USD 500,000 from the Novartis’ Global Fund to the Slovenian Red Cross and the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth.
• Novartis has committed 130 million doses of hydroxychloroquine to support the pandemic response and Slovenia is also among the recipients. The first doses have already been delivered to the University Medical centre Ljubljana, where they are available for the treatment of Covid-19 patients in Slovenian hospitals. 
• Up to now, Novartis in Slovenia has provided personal protective equipment and more than 8,300 litres of disinfectant to more than 35 health centres, hospitals, care homes and local communities across Slovenia.
• In addition, Novartis joined two key cross-industry research initiatives, the Covid-19 Therapeutics Accelerator, coordinated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and Mastercard, as well as a Covid-19 directed partnership organized by the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI). Novartis is separately supporting Covid-19 related clinical investigations of several Novartis medicines. 
• Sandoz, Novartis generics and biosimilars division, became the first company to commit to keeping prices stable for a basket of essential medicines that may help in the treatment of Covid19. 
  

More information on Novartis’ and Lek’s response to the pandemic is available at https://www.lek.si/sl/o-nas/za-medije/covid-19/ in https://www.novartis.com/coronavirus.