Novartis drives patient‑centric health initiatives in Italy

At a series of meetings held in Milan at SDA Bocconi, Novartis Italy’s Communication & Advocacy Head Chiara Gnocchi launched the “Pazienti in agorà” project, promoting a participatory, value‑based health system where patients are integral members of multidisciplinary teams. Gnocchi said, “Le associazioni pazienti oggi portano competenza, passione e visione,” stressing that patient insight must be combined with clinical and economic value.

Patient‑advocacy leaders such as Anna Maria Mancuso (Salute Donna) and Ferruccio Buora (Europa Uomo) called for patients to sit at the decision‑making table with clinicians and regulators, arguing that this approach can speed access to innovative therapies, improve HTA outcomes and reduce bureaucratic delays. Mancuso highlighted advocacy as “fondamentale” for influencing policy and shortening approval times.

More than 20 patient organisations joined the initiative, alongside clinicians, academics and industry partners, to develop data‑driven care pathways, train patients for effective participation in clinical and policy discussions, and shift the health model from outcome‑focused to value‑focused medicine.