Novartis’ generics arm Sandoz has launched the second Healthcare Access Challenge (HACk), which is looking to support digital solutions to local healthcare access challenges.
The competition is open to digital technology entrepreneurs and innovators with ideas with the potential to complement or drive new approaches to improving access to healthcare.
Explaining the rationale behind the competition, Sandoz noted that universal access to healthcare “is still arguably the largest unmet medical need and, while great strides continue to be made globally, access challenges vary hugely across geographies and communities”.
It says digital innovation could provide cost-effective and practical solutions with the power to transform access to healthcare.
“There are still two billion people in this world not getting the medicines they need. This is why we are launching Sandoz HACk as we aim to inspire and embrace the brave and innovative thinking of entrepreneurs and visionaries to improve access to healthcare around the world”, said Richard Francis, division head and chief executive of the firm.
The three shortlisted entrants – which will be announced in January next year – will receive support from Sandoz experts to develop their ideas.
