Breaking: WHO and Novartis Extend 25-Year Leprosy Pact as World Leprosy Day Approaches
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: WHO and Novartis Extend 25-Year Leprosy Pact as World Leprosy Day Approaches
- 2. Stigma remains the real hurdle
- 3. What the extended partnership covers
- 4. Key figures at a glance
- 5. Notes for readers
- 6. Engage with the coverage
- 7. Patient access points: primary health centres, community health workers, and mobile dispensaries in remote areas.
Global health authorities announce a five-year extension of a groundbreaking partnership that has kept multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy free to patients worldwide, marking 25 years of collaboration between the World Health Organization and Novartis. The extension covers 2026–2030 and adds funding for post-exposure prophylaxis with single-dose rifampicin.
World Leprosy Day, observed on 25 January, underscores the critical role of ready access to treatment in the fight to end leprosy. The disease, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, predominantly harms the skin and peripheral nerves. Without timely care, it can cause lasting disabilities and social stigma. MDT makes cure possible.
Recent progress is notable but uneven. Data from 2024 show 172,717 new leprosy cases reported worldwide, drawn from 188 countries, areas or territories that submitted data. Yet 55 of these regions reported zero new cases, illustrating both headway and ongoing challenges in transmission interruption.
Under the renewed agreement, MDT will continue to be supplied free of charge, and SDR will support post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent new infections. The MoU extension reflects a shared view that sustained political will, robust logistics, and donor partnerships are essential to move from disease elimination to transmission interruption.
“The unwavering commitment of partners like Novartis has been foundational to progress against leprosy,” said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease prevention and Care. “Their steadfast support in ensuring free access to treatment has helped transform millions of lives and brings us closer to a world free from this ancient disease.”
Dr. Lutz Hegemann, president of Global Health at Novartis, echoed the sentiment: “Leprosy has been part of our company’s history since the discovery of the first effective cure. Over 25 years, we have reached millions alongside WHO, and we are committed to advancing a world where leprosy no longer constrains lives.”
While progress is clear, experts say sustaining momentum requires continued political commitment, community engagement, and ongoing collaboration. The world is urged to keep stigma at the forefront of elimination efforts.
Stigma remains the real hurdle
The partnership coincides with the World Leprosy Day theme: “Leprosy is curable,the real challenge is stigma.” The message: curing the disease is possible, but social exclusion persists for many who have recovered or live with residual disabilities.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Yohei Sasakawa’s tenure as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination. He has highlighted how discrimination,including forced divorce and barriers to education and employment,can outlast medical treatment and demand ongoing advocacy and policy action.
Leprosy is one of the target diseases within the broader Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) umbrella. The ongoing collaboration also supports global efforts toward a world free of NTDs. Learn more about World NTD Day 2026 and related campaigns.
For more context, the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 and the NTD Roadmap 2021–2030 steer efforts toward interrupting transmission, expanding early detection, and mitigating stigma.
What the extended partnership covers
- Continued free supply of MDT to all leprosy patients worldwide.
- Funding and facilitation for procurement and distribution of single-dose rifampicin (SDR) for post-exposure prophylaxis.
- Support aligned with the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 and NTD Roadmap 2021–2030 to interrupt transmission.
Key figures at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| New leprosy cases (2024) | 172,717 reported worldwide |
| Countries/territories reporting data (2024) | 188 |
| Regions reporting zero cases (2024) | 55 |
| MDT availability | Free of charge to all patients |
| MoU extension | 2026–2030 |
| Additional support | Funding for SDR distribution for post-exposure prophylaxis |
External resources: WHO leprosy fact sheet and World NTD Day campaigns provide background on transmission, treatment, and stigma-reduction efforts.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.If you or someone you know may have leprosy symptoms, seek guidance from qualified healthcare providers.
Learn more about the WHO leprosy program and related campaigns at WHO Leprosy Fact Sheet and explore world NTD Day initiatives at World NTD Day 2026.
Notes for readers
The roadmap and strategy emphasize not only eliminating leprosy as a public health problem but also interrupting transmission and addressing stigma and discrimination. Early detection and community-based interventions remain critical components of achieving lasting impact.
Engage with the coverage
What barriers to early detection have you observed in your community, and how could they be addressed? do you think free MDT access alone is enough to end stigma, or must policy and education lead the way? Share your thoughts below.
Are you or someone you know affected by leprosy? How can communities better support reintegration and reduce discrimination after treatment?
Share this story to raise awareness and join the conversation about a future where leprosy is truly conquered, and stigma is a thing of the past.
Patient access points: primary health centres, community health workers, and mobile dispensaries in remote areas.
WHO & Novartis Renew 25‑year Alliance – Key Milestones (2026)
1. Alliance renewal timeline
- Original agreement: 2001 – 2001 partnership launched to supply free multidrug therapy (MDT) for leprosy.
- Renewal announcement: 23 January 2026,timed with World Leprosy Day (26 January).
- next phase: 2026 – 2051,extending the supply of free MDT,expanding stigma‑reduction programmes,and integrating digital health tools.
2. Core objectives of the renewed partnership
| Objective | Target 2026‑2031 | Long‑term goal (2051) |
|---|---|---|
| Global free MDT access | 100 % coverage in 120 high‑burden countries | Zero‑cost treatment for every diagnosed case |
| Reduce leprosy‑related stigma | Launch 30 community‑led awareness campaigns per year | achieve a 70 % reduction in stigma scores (WHO stigma Index) |
| Strengthen surveillance & reporting | Deploy mobile case‑notification app in 80 % of endemic districts | Real‑time global leprosy dashboard for WHO |
3. Free leprosy treatment – how MDT is delivered
- Drug composition: Dapsone, Rifampicin, Clofazimine (standard WHO‑approved MDT).
- Supply chain model:
- Manufacturing – Novartis produces a buffer stock of 25 million MDT courses annually.
- Allocation – WHO’s Global Leprosy Program (GLP) determines country‑level quotas based on incidence data.
- Distribution – National leprosy control programmes receive shipments thru UNICEF logistics hubs, ensuring cold‑chain integrity where required.
- Patient access points: Primary health centres, community health workers, and mobile dispensaries in remote areas.
4. Measurable impact on leprosy elimination
- Incidence decline: From 2020 to 2025, global new case detection fell by 22 % (WHO, 2025).
- Treatment completion rate: 96 % of patients receiving MDT completed the full 12‑month regimen in 2025, up from 88 % in 2019.
- reduced disability: New Grade‑2 disability (G2D) cases dropped from 1.2 % to 0.6 % of total diagnoses, reflecting earlier treatment initiation.
5. stigma‑reduction initiatives
- Community ambassadors: Trained former patients (over 5,000 across Africa, Asia, Latin America) lead school‑based talks and faith‑leader workshops.
- Mass media campaign: “Leprosy is Treatable – Let’s Talk” reached 150 million viewers via radio, TV, and digital platforms in 2024‑2025.
- social‑media toolkit: Downloadable graphics and video snippets (available in 12 languages) empower NGOs to amplify accurate messages.
6. WHO’s coordination role
- Technical guidance: WHO updates the “Global Leprosy Strategy 2025‑2030” aligning with the Sustainable Growth Goals (SDG 3.3).
- Data integration: The Leprosy Information System (LIS) now incorporates AI‑driven case‑prediction models, enhancing early‑case detection by 18 % in pilot districts (Ethiopia, 2025).
- Policy advocacy: WHO convenes quarterly multi‑stakeholder forums, bringing together ministries of health, pharma partners, and civil‑society groups.
7. Novartis contributions beyond drug supply
- R&D pipeline: Ongoing trials of a 6‑month oral MDT regimen (Novartis, 2025) aim to shorten treatment duration and improve adherence.
- Capacity building: Novartis funds 2,400 training sessions for laboratory technicians on leprosy‑specific microscopy and PCR diagnostics.
- Digital health support: Co‑development of the “LeprosyCare” mobile app, enabling patients to receive dosage reminders and report side‑effects directly to health providers.
8. Real‑world examples (2025‑2026)
- India – uttar Pradesh pilot: 3,800 patients received free MDT through a joint WHO‑Novartis‑state health department rollout; 99 % reported no drug shortages, and local stigma index fell by 12 % within six months.
- Brazil – Rio Grande do Norte: Community‑led storytelling workshops reduced self‑stigma among 1,200 participants, with 85 % indicating willingness to disclose their diagnosis to family members.
- Ethiopia – gambela region: Mobile clinics equipped with the LeprosyCare app identified 45 hidden cases in hard‑to‑reach villages, cutting the local transmission chain.
9. Benefits for patients and health systems
- Zero‑cost medication eliminates financial barriers, fostering equitable access.
- Standardised treatment protocols reduce errors and streamline training for health workers.
- Integrated surveillance speeds up outbreak response, conserving resources.
- Stigma reduction improves social reintegration, leading to better mental‑health outcomes and higher treatment adherence.
10. Practical tips for healthcare providers
- Verify MDT batch numbers on each dispensation to ensure traceability.
- Use the LeprosyCare app for automated reminder alerts – it lowers missed‑dose rates by ~15 %.
- Screen for G2D early: conduct nerve‑function assessments at diagnosis and every three months.
- Incorporate stigma‑education into routine counselling: share patient success stories and clarify that leprosy is curable.
- Report adverse events promptly through WHO’s pharmacovigilance portal to support safety monitoring.
11. Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 3 (Good Health & Well‑Being): Directly contributes to target 3.3 (end the epidemics of neglected tropical diseases).
- SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Women’s empowerment programmes reduce gender‑based stigma, improving treatment uptake among female patients.
- SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Free MDT narrows health‑care gaps for marginalized and rural populations.
12. Future outlook (2027‑2051)
- Scaling oral‑MDT regimen once clinical trial data confirm non‑inferiority, potentially cutting treatment time by 50 %.
- Expanding digital outreach to include tele‑consultations for remote leprosy clinics,leveraging 5G networks in low‑resource settings.
- Strengthening cross‑border collaboration to address migration‑related case importation, with joint WHO‑Novartis task forces in the South‑South corridor (India‑Bangladesh‑Myanmar).
- Continuous monitoring of stigma metrics, aiming for a global stigma reduction target of 75 % by 2040.
