Novo Nordisk, a leading pharmaceutical and MYDAWA®, the first licensed e-pharmacy in Kenya has today launched a partnership that aims to accelerate access to affordable insulin. This partnership is a key part of the iCARETM initiative from Novo Nordisk, with the aim of defeating diabetes in Africa in alignment with both the global vision of Novo Nordisk and MYDAWA®’s objective of increasing access to safe and affordable medication.
Speaking during the event, Vice President and GM Middle Africa Novo Nordisk, Vinay Ransinwal said, “It is a pleasure to partner with MYDAWA today as we witness yet another milestone as a company in the country. We endeavour to expand and accelerate access to care for our patients all across the country and it is through partnerships like these that we are able to create a seamless reach all the way to the last mile”.
He further commented that cold-chain distribution of insulin has been a challenge especially to those patients who are based outside the confines of the big cities and therefore hopes that with this new partnership, patients and people living with diabetes in Kenya will now have easier and much better access to more affordable and quality care and treatment for diabetes.
The iCARETM initiative, which was launched in Kenya in 2021, has the vision to accelerate access to treatment for people living with diabetes in Africa in a sustainable manner, by leveraging four key areas; Capacity, Affordability, Reach and Empowerment. This partnership is the first initiative under “Reach”.
The “Reach” component of iCARETM aims to expand access to insulin by making insulin more broadly available geographically and at lower prices to people living with diabetes. To that end, Novo Nordisk has partnered directly with MYDAWA®, whose innovative platform expands the reach of affordable quality health care and wellness products, toprovide online access to insulin for people living with diabetes. Due to the unique nature of the online distribution channel, people with diabetes will be able to fulfil their insulin prescriptions online at MYDAWA®, at significantly lower prices.
Mr. Tony Wood, Managing Director MYDAWA said that this partnership represents not only a strategic alignment but more importantly an alignment in values between the two parties. MYDAWA’s mission has always been to ensure better health outcomes by increasing access to affordable, high-quality medication, and with Novo Nordisk and the iCare Program we can deliver on that mission.
“MYDAWA already provides a service that offers fast delivery within Nairobi and delivery anywhere within the country within 24 hours – ensuring the cost of the product is guaranteed to stay low. As MYDAWA expands, opening fulfillment centers across the country, the costs and timelines associated with delivery will continue to fall ensuring better health outcomes for more and more Kenyans,” Mr. Tony added.
The partnership also aims to support those who struggle to find the cash for regular insulin purchases and to work collaboratively with insurance companies and other payers with the goal of enabling better and cheaper coverage for people living with diabetes. As of today, MYDAWA®’s pay via insurance option hosts 17 insurance partners with more being added regularly.
Business Unit Head East and Southern Africa Novo Nordisk Francis Njau said that this partnership will eliminate the aspect of cost and time for the patient as it affords the patient with a clear and direct means at the press of a button to access a safe, assuring and also quality guaranteed channel in compliance to all regulatory requirements of pharma to meet their requirements.
Africa has 23.6 million (20 – 79 years)people living with diabetes, many of whom face daily challenges related to availability and affordability. This partnership will improve availability and affordability of this life-saving medication. As a leader with close to 100 years’ experience in diabetes care, Novo Nordisk is committed to tackling the challenges patients face, with the aim of defeating diabetes in Africa.