Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited donated PPEs to Healthcare Professionals to combat COVID-19

Dhaka, 27 May 2020: Novartis, the Swiss-based pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, today donated ; Medical Grade Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)  Medical Gown, Masks and Goggles worth BDT 2.27 crore (28000 unit) to Swiss Red Cross Bangladesh for the use of Health Care Professionals who are working at the designated COVID-19 hospitals in Bangladesh.

In an unpretentious event Dr. Riad Mamun Prodhani, Managing Director of Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited handed over the PPE to the representatives of Swiss Red Cross and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society where among others Amitabh Sharma, Country Representative of Swiss Red Cross, Md. Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General and Rafiqul Islam, Deputy Secretary General of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Sanjib Biswas Sanjoy, Deputy Head of Delegation, Swiss Red Cross, Country Head Sandoz, Paolo Agbotounou, Head of Novartis Technical Operations Md. Mosiul Islam, Head of Public Affairs Sk. Abdul Goni, Chief Finance Officer Fahmid Wasik Ali, Head of Legal Sumaiya Sadia Huda, Head of Compliance, Razina Parvin, Head Commercial Exce. & Specialty care, Sandoz, Shah Newaz Khan Reza, Country REFS Head, Emon Roy Evans, were present.

To support the efforts of the Government during COVID crisis Novartis has taken all out efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of their medicine for their patients. Starting from opening a dormitory at their Tongi manufacturing plant for the continuation of production to arrange home delivery of medicine to prevent any potential delivery disruptions.

“It is a small donation but we are very excited to be part of the nationwide efforts to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak, said Dr. Riad Mamun Prodhani, Country President and Managing Director of Novartis (Bangladesh) limited. “Novartis Bangladesh will be more active in preventing the spread of COVID-19 while putting the interest of the patients and all others involved in medical care at the front.”

Amitabh Sharma, Bangladesh Country Representative of Swiss Red Cross said “The impact of the pandemic is unique and its management requires establishment of partnerships like never before. The coming together of Novartis, BDRCS and SRC is not only a good example of such partnerships but we are also extremely happy to extend our support and collaboration to Novartis in distributing the high quality PPE to hospitals and frontline workers that are at the forefront of Covid – 19.

About Novartis (Bangladesh) Ltd.

Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited operates as a subsidiary of Novartis AG, a global healthcare company based in Switzerland that provides solutions to address the evolving needs of patients worldwide. Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited is a joint venture between Novartis AG (60%) and Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (40%) of Government of People's Republic of Bangladesh. The company provides healthcare solutions specializing in research, development, manufacturing and marketing of a range of healthcare products led by pharmaceuticals. Novartis operates businesses with global scale and strong customer ties, focusing on innovative patented medicines, generics and eye care devices. The Company exports its products to more than 55 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.