Portugal Pays Tribute to Novartis
The President of Portugal, Dr. Jorge Sampaio, expressed his gratitude to Alexander Triebnigg, Country and CPO Head of Novartis Portugal, for the company's commitment and support to improving the southern European country’s healthcare system.
February 22, 2006 - Speaking at a ceremony on the February 14, held at the the official Presidential residence, Palácio de Belém, President Sampaio paid tribute to Alexander Triebnigg, Novartis’ General Manager in Portugal since 2002.
The President thanked Alexander for bringing many innovative and life-saving medicines to the country and for his help in founding Sandoz Portugal. This decision, he said, had allowed many Portuguese people access to cheaper generic therapies when the country was facing a difficult economic period.
“Novartis was the only global pharmaceutical company to invest in Portugal during a time of economic crisis,” emphasised President Sampaio. “The company does not only talk about partnership with the Government, but acts as a loyal partner by creating new employment opportunities and contributing valuable solutions to the healthcare system. This deserves recognition by Portugal.”
A leading example of good business in Portugal The Knighthood, the President explained further, is to reflect the impact Novartis has had on Portugal’s medical profession and business community.
Novartis Portugal is the first global pharmaceutical company ever to receive this decoration, and with it is recognized as a leader in terms of Corporate Citizenship and Ethical Business Practices. It is also commercial partner to several leading local pharmaceutical companies like BIAL, HOVIONE and JABA. Together, the companies explore innovative commercial opportunities.
The award belongs to many people
During the award ceremony, Alexander Triebnigg received the Knight Commander's Cross of the “Ordem do Merito Comercial” and is thereby conferred with the title “Comendador”.
In his speech, Alexander said:
“This medal is a decoration to all our excellent physicians in Portugal for having saved the lives of many cardiovascular patients with Diovan and Co-Diovan, of many cancer patients with Glivec and for having saved the eyesight of many patients with Visudyne.”
“It is to decorate all our medical representatives and the marketing teams for the excellent work they are doing everyday by sharing the results of the latest scientific publications with physicians in hospitals and health-centres; by implementing important epidemiological studies like VALSIM in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology and Portuguese Association of Family Physicians; and by significantly supporting Continuous Medical Education in Portugal.”
“Finally, it is to decorate the clinical research team for implementing 22 clinical studies in Oncology, Transplantation, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Pneumology, Diabetes and Cardiology with leading investigators in academic research centres of reference in Portugal.”
Reflecting on the evening, Alexandar Triebnigg said: “An important success factor for Novartis in Portugal is that we are one large team. Our Pharma business units, and our Consumer Health business units, and Sandoz, are all working together to maximize the success of Novartis in Portugal and provide the country with a reliable commercial partner to its healthcare.”