Novartis welcomes China's innovative initiatives in healthcare

I continue to be impressed and excited by the innovative policy initiatives taking place across China. The government, at virtually all levels, is coming up with new and innovative policies that continue to drive opening-up and higher quality development across China.

The Greater Bay Area initiatives are a great example. While we are seeing reforms in many economic sectors that aim for better integration of Hong Kong and adjacent areas in Guangdong province, the methodology underway in the healthcare sector is impressive and far-reaching and will have a profoundly positive impact for patients.

In the healthcare sector, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly able to bring products launched in Hong Kong or Macao, but not yet approved in Chinese mainland, into certain hospitals in Guangdong province. This is quite innovative and strategic, allowing patients to have access to some of the most cutting-edge innovation to help improve patient outcomes, but also in allowing physicians to gain access to the most innovative treatments. At Novartis, we strongly support the efforts by the government in this area and are actively working to find ways to support these initiatives.