By Monsi A. Serrano
A Mission Beyond Medicine
Sushant Anand, Country Head for Value and Access and Public Affairs at Novartis Philippines, who has been with the company for nearly 14 years and has been based in the Philippines for over two years, underscored that Novartis’ mission of reimagining medicine extends far beyond the development of breakthrough therapies. It involves strengthening healthcare systems, improving patient access, and ensuring that scientific innovations reach the communities that need them most.
With cardiovascular disease and cancer remaining among the country’s leading causes of mortality, Novartis continues to align its portfolio with the Philippines’ most urgent healthcare priorities. This includes the introduction of next-generation therapies, such as an innovative cholesterol-management treatment, alongside planned launches in the coming years.
Creating an Empowering and Inclusive Workplace
Cognizant that great ideas flourish in an environment where people feel supported, valued, and empowered to speak up, Anand notes that this commitment—rooted in professional growth, diversity, and inclusion—has become a powerful catalyst for innovation and sustained performance across the organization.
Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS during the Swiss Embassy Manila’s Day of the Future initiative, Anand shared that Novartis’ commitment to people reaches far beyond its own walls. Through programs that immerse students in cutting-edge healthcare practices, digital innovation, and Health Technology Assessment, the company is helping ignite the aspirations of young Filipinos. These experiences, he said, are designed to open doors, broaden horizons, and empower the next generation of scientists, analysts, regulators, and health-system innovators who will one day shape the nation’s healthcare future.
Expanding Access in a Self-Pay Healthcare Market
Recognizing the current setup of the Philippine healthcare landscape, where many patients in a predominantly self pay system shoulder much of the cost of treatment, Anand shared with me that Novartis is committed to helping ease this burden. He explained that the company is pursuing meaningful solutions through optimal pricing models, patient access programs, and active support for stronger reimbursement pathways. All of these efforts reflect a broader mission: to help make high quality, life changing treatments more accessible and affordable for more Filipino families.
He emphasized the importance of institutionalizing Health Technology Assessment to ensure that healthcare decisions nationwide are guided by value-based, evidence-driven approaches. Beyond shaping policy, Novartis contributes to strengthening the healthcare system through practical solutions—such as the digital referral platform implemented at Rizal Medical Center, which replaced informal Viber-based referrals with a structured digital workflow, streamlining case management and improving overall efficiency.
Investing in the Next Generation of Healthcare Leaders
Preparing the next generation of Filipino talent is a cornerstone of Anand’s vision. He sees initiatives like the Swiss Embassy in the Philippines’ Day of the Future as meaningful extensions of Novartis Philippines’ long-term commitment to developing the country’s future leaders in health. These programs offer far more than exposure. They nurture curiosity, sharpen skills, and help build a strong pipeline of future healthcare innovators who will one day shape the nation’s medical, scientific, and regulatory landscape.
By immersing students in global best practices in genomics, digital health, and Health Technology Assessment, the initiative expands their horizons and elevates their ambitions. This blend of international insight and local experience equips them to craft better policies, run more efficient hospitals, lead high-impact research, and strengthen industry capabilities.
Building Talent Through Real-World Immersion
By immersing students in global best practices in genomics, digital health, and Health Technology Assessment, the initiative opens their eyes to what is possible on the world stage and inspires them to reach higher. This fusion of international insight and local experience empowers them to envision better policies, build more efficient hospitals, lead transformative research, and elevate the capabilities of the country’s healthcare industry. It equips them not just to participate in the future of health, but to shape it.
Since 2023, Novartis has welcomed Filipino students participating in the Swiss Embassy’s Day of the Future program to explore some of the country’s leading innovation institutions — including the Philippine Genome Center, the Health Technology Assessment Council, and Novartis’ own offices. These engagements open pathways for young Filipinos from diverse backgrounds to experience real-world careers in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare innovation, inspiring them to see themselves as the next generation of changemakers.
Anand believes such initiatives spark curiosity, broaden perspectives, and give students hands-on experiences that guide their decisions about the future. He hopes to welcome even more young participants in the years ahead.
A Culture of Being Inspired, Curious, and Unbossed
Anand also highlighted the strength of the Novartis global culture, anchored in its core values of being inspired, curious, and unbossed. He pointed to the company’s open-office design—intentionally built without cubicles—as a symbolic and functional reflection of these values. This layout encourages free-flowing collaboration, diverse viewpoints, and a breaking down of hierarchical barriers, enabling teams to solve shared challenges with agility.
Inspired by Filipino Resilience
Sharing reflections from his time in the Philippines, Anand expressed deep admiration for the remarkable resilience of Filipinos. Despite recurring challenges such as natural disasters and systemic pressures, he sees a nation that continually chooses hope, positivity, and progress. This enduring spirit, he noted, strengthens Novartis’ commitment to building partnerships with hospitals, advancing sustainable healthcare solutions, and investing in long term capacity building to support a stronger Philippine healthcare system.
Innovation as a Collective Commitment
Anand also reflected on the deeper meaning of innovation. For him, innovation is not defined only by scientific breakthroughs. It thrives in strong partnerships, shared purpose, and a sincere commitment to making better healthcare accessible to everyone. Innovation grows when systems are strengthened, when ecosystems are
“Real progress can only be achieved through collective effort. Guided by this belief, Novartis remains committed to standing with the Filipino people as the country works toward a healthcare system that is more accessible, more inclusive, and better prepared for the future. Innovation is not just about new medicines. It is about uplifting systems, empowering young talent, and helping build a healthier future for every Filipino,” Anand concluded.