Kenya has become the first country to take up the Novartis Access programme, under which the Swiss drug giant is providing a batch of essential medicines.
A deal signed between the Swiss pharmaceutical company Norvatis and the Kenyan government means that patients will be able to get drugs to treat some diseases for $1 (£0.65) a month.
It covers 15 drugs that treat non-communicable diseases including breast cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.
Health Minister James Macharia gave an example of his father who pays $500 a month for medication for an undisclosed condition. Now he will pay just $1 a month.
The Kenyan government has just launched a new strategy for the prevention, control and management of NCDs, and Novartis said it will also partner with organisations such as the Kenyan Ministry of Health and the Kenyan Red Cross to help support the healthcare system through measures such as strengthening drug distribution channels and training healthcare workers.
The scheme is being piloted in Kenya and if successful will be expanded to cover 30 low- and middle-income countries.
