First of all let me say how blessed I feel each time I get the opportunity to either meet with you or address you. I have had the good fortune of meeting several of you over the years and each time I do, I marvel at how much a part of the Novartis and Max Foundation family you have come to be.
This year, as some of you may know, Glivec received the prestigious 2016 Prix Galien Foundation “Discovery of the Decade” Award for Best Pharmaceutical Product. The Prix Galien Award is considered to be the pharmaceutical industry’s Nobel prize. The “Discovery of the Decade” is a special once-in-10-years recognition for distinguished industry achievement in medical innovation.
As a healthcare leader we believe that it is our responsibility to help improve access to medicines. It is this continued interest that has helped us support around 18,000 patients with free Glivec. Of course this has been possible because of the commitment from all stakeholders who are partners in this program.
Our global research and development efforts in 2015 yielded 20 major approvals. Our focus continues to be on strengthening our work in this area as we strive to meet unmet medical needs for people everywhere.
I would like to close by extending my best wishes to each one of you – The Max Foundation, all the physicians who have helped make the Glivec International Patient Assistance Program a success and to the many patients and caregivers who serve as ambassadors for The Max Foundation and for Novartis. A very special thanks to Pat and Viji who have stood by each one of you like the Rock of Gibraltar.
Good luck, good health, much happiness as always.