$NVS

CityNews reports that Novartis received Health Canada approval for Vanrafia for IgA nephropathy, but decided not to continue the reimbursement process, citing limited chances of securing coverage under Canada’s access environment. The article outlines Canada’s post-approval pricing and reimbursement steps and says fewer than 50% of approved drugs proceed, delaying access.

Novartis said London’s High Court rejected Accord Healthcare’s challenge to invalidate Novartis’ Entresto patent and supplementary protection certificate, finding the planned generic would infringe. Accord, a unit of Intas Pharmaceuticals, had planned a later 2026 launch. Entresto contributes about 10% of Novartis sales. Similar results occurred in the Netherlands, while Novartis lost a US bid last year.

A London court upheld Novartis’ extended patent protections for Entresto, a heart failure drug, blocking Accord’s plans to launch a generic version in the near term, according to the court ruling described in the article. The decision affects the timing of generic competition for Entresto.

Novartis said a UK court backed its position in a lawsuit challenging the validity of its Entresto patent, according to the report. The decision supports Novartis’ patent stance for the heart failure drug, which can affect future generic competition and related revenues.

A Swiss industry group, Interpharma, said drugmakers held back some applications for Switzerland’s mandatory health insurance coverage due to concerns about U.S. pricing policy. The study found about one-third of new innovative medicines were not submitted for coverage from Jan 2025 to Jun 2026, including 7 of 22 new drugs not listed for reimbursement. Roche and Novartis were cited.

The FDA issued a nationwide Class II recall of Diovan (valsartan) 160 mg tablets after one lot (AV5913C) failed dissolution specifications, meaning the tablets may not dissolve properly and could reduce effectiveness. Novartis initiated the recall Aug. 4. The affected product expires June 2027 and was made by Patheon and distributed by Novartis.

The FDA issued a Class II urgent recall of valsartan (Diovan) due to failure to meet dissolution specifications, which may reduce effectiveness and cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. The affected batch (AV5913C) includes 90-count 160 mg tablets expiring June 2027, distributed nationwide by Novartis. Novartis initiated the recall Aug. 4.

The FDA says Novartis recalled one lot of Diovan (valsartan) due to failed dissolution specifications, meaning tablets may not dissolve correctly. The affected product is 160 mg, 90-count bottles, lot AV5913C, exp. June 2027. The recall began Aug. 4 and was later classified Class II. Manufacturing was by Patheon Manufacturing Services.

The FDA said Novartis Pharmaceuticals recalled Diovan (valsartan) 160 mg, 90-tablet bottles nationwide due to failed dissolution specifications, meaning tablets did not meet required dissolution standards. The recall is Class II. It covers lot AV5913C (exp. June 2027) manufactured by Patheon and distributed by Novartis.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed H.B. 2371, which limits drugmakers’ ability to restrict pharmacy contracting under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Novartis sued Illinois AG Kwame Raoul to block the law, arguing it conflicts with federal 340B rules and is unconstitutional. The companies seek a court declaration against the state law.