Red Noses travelling with the Caravan Orchestra across Slovenia
The Red Noses performing in the Caravan Orchestra show, dedicated to children with moderate to severe developmental disabilities, are continuing their journey across Slovenia. This autumn they are visiting children in the towns of Ig, Novo mesto , Strunjan, Vipava, Dobrna and Maribor. This is the first such program of its kind in Slovenia, supported by Lek, a Sandoz company.
The Caravan Orchestra is a musical theatre show, designed specifically for children with moderate to severe developmental disability. It was developed by the hospital clown-doctor organisation from the Netherlands (Stichting CliniClowns). The performance is based on a story about three musicians who leave the circus and wish to establish their own orchestra – so they search for musicians to join them. They find them among the audience. The action involves a musical, tactile and visual experience. The clowns pay attention to each individual child, which is the principle behind the clown-doctor’s work also in hospitals. In this way the children can unwind and experience the show according to their abilities, needs and wishes.
»The Red Noses have been visiting institutions for children with special needs for a long time. And so there was a desire to gain additional knowledge about how to work with children with developmental disabilities so that the children can derive maximum benefit from the clown doctors’ visits. The caravan Orchestra show is a response to this desire and we are glad to be yet again supported by our long-term partner Lek, a Sandoz company. A great deal of attention is paid to the preparation for the performance. The clowns learn about each participant in the performance, learn about his/her specifics – physical and psychological – in order to be able to approach him/her, reach out and create moments of personal connection,« explained Eva Š. Maurer, the artistic director of Red Noses.
Lek, a Sandoz company, has been supporting the Red Noses from the very beginning
»We immediately embraced the idea of the Caravan Orchestra as it is a welcome novelty for children with special needs in Slovenia. In 2014, the Caravan Orchestra is expected to visit 11 towns around Slovenia and delight more than 300 children and youth. This performance is an upgrade of our seven-year cooperation with the Red Noses,« said Katarina Klemenc, Head of Corporate Communication.
How to approach children with special needs
The Caravan Orchestra is one of the ways of how to approach children and youth with special needs. Special educator Dr Branka D. Jurišić, who worked as an associate professional in the process of creating the program in Slovenia, says: »It’s great when a performance comes to those children and youth who do not go out much, either to the theatre or any other events. Children with developmental disability are a particularly vulnerable group of children with special needs who need a lot of incentives and stimulation. In this performance, the incentives are such that they can reach each and every child. Some will be attracted by sounds, others by objects each with a distinctive feel and touch. Although there are a lot of stimuli, they are gentle, unobtrusive and as such they can draw the children’s attention and encourage them to take part in activities tailored to their needs. This is the greatest value of this show.«
Lek, a Sandoz company, is one of key pillars of the second-largest generic pharmaceutical company globally. Its role within Sandoz is to act as: a leading global development center for products and technologies; a global manufacturing center for active pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines; a competence center for the development of vertically integrated products; a Sandoz competence center in the field of development and manufacturing of biosimilar products; and, a supply center for the markets of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), South East Europe (SEE) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and it is responsible for sales on the Slovenian market. For further information please visit http://www.lek.si/en.
Sandoz, the generic pharmaceuticals division of Novartis, is a global leader in the generic pharmaceutical sector. Sandoz employs over 26,500 employees and its products are available in more than 160 countries, offering a broad range of high-quality, affordable products that are no longer protected by patents. With USD 9.2 billion in sales in 2013, Sandoz has a portfolio of approximately 1,100 molecules, and holds the #1 position globally in biosimilars as well as in generic injectables, ophthalmics, dermatology and antibiotics, complemented by leading positions in the cardiovascular, metabolism, central nervous system, pain, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and hormonal therapeutic areas. Sandoz develops, produces, and markets these medicines, as well as active pharmaceutical and biotechnological substances. Nearly half of Sandoz’s portfolio is in differentiated products, which are defined as products that are more difficult to scientifically develop and manufacture than standard generics.
In addition to strong organic growth since consolidating its generics businesses under the Sandoz brand name in 2003, Sandoz has benefitted from strong growth of its acquisitions, which include Lek (Slovenia), Sabex (Canada), Hexal (Germany), Eon Labs (US), EBEWE Pharma (Austria), Oriel Therapeutics (US), and Fougera Pharmaceuticals (US).
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Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines and diagnostic tools, over-the-counter and animal health products. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2013, the Group achieved net sales of USD 57.9 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.9 billion (USD 9.6 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 135,000 full-time-equivalent associates and operate in more than 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.novartis.com.
This press release contains statements and conclusions based on projections of Lek’s future business operations. These estimates are derived from the best information currently available. In case these forecasts prove unreliable, the actual results could prove different from those projected.
For additional information contact:
Katarina Klemenc
Corporate Communications
Lek Pharmaceuticals d. d.
Phone: +386 1 580 22 43
Fax: +386 1 580 24 32
katarina.klemenc@sandoz.com
