Novartis has announced an extension of its programme of multidrug therapy donations to the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of leprosy.

This five-year agreement includes treatments worth more than $40 million (26 million pounds), as well as up to $2.5 million to support the WHO in handling the donation and logistics.

“Novartis has extended its scheme of World Health Organization donations of multidrug therapy medicines to treat leprosy through to 2020.“

Overall, it is expected that the programme will reach an estimated 1.3 million patients during the next half-decade, and will play a major role in global efforts eradicate the disease once and for all.

Since 2000, Novartis has donated more than 56 million blister packs through the WHO, helping to treat more than six million leprosy patients worldwide.

Joseph Jimenez, chief executive officer of Novartis, said: "Leprosy is a treatable disease and multidrug therapy remains the cornerstone of the global leprosy elimination strategy. We are proud to continue our work with the WHO to provide free treatment to leprosy patients worldwide."

Last month, the company was granted WHO prequalification for Coartem 80/480mg, a new high-strength treatment for malaria.