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HIV Pharma Response to Katrina
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Merck, GSK, & BMS issued these announcements, and Gilead announced they were providing free HIV meds.
Message From Peter Dolan To Employees About Bristol-Myers Squibb's Relief Efforts
Dear Colleague:
As I stated in my message yesterday, we continue to explore how to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. As you have seen, the toll is much greater than was initially thought.
Therefore, I am pleased to announce today that the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation is making an additional $750,000 donation to the American Red Cross relief efforts. We have now donated a total of $1 million in cash directly to the relief effort. Also, Mead Johnson Nutritionals has shipped infant formula totaling more than $500,000 in value and is actively working with relief agencies to meet additional needs.
The company continues to work with relief agency partners to arrange donation and distribution of Bristol-Myers Squibb medicines. You received a mass mailer from John Damonti yesterday explaining how your personal cash donations to the Red Cross can be matched dollar-for-dollar by the company.
The devastating effects of the hurricane are still coming to light, and in the days and weeks ahead, we may be called upon to do even more. I am proud to say that Bristol-Myers Squibb, and indeed the entire pharmaceutical industry, will do all we can to help those in need.
Peter R. Dolan
Chief Executive Officer
Article Date: 08/31/2005
GlaxoSmithKline aids hurricane relief efforts
One Million Dollars and Health Care Products Donated
Research Triangle Park, NC, September 1, 2005- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) shares the nation's deep concern for residents and communities of the Gulf Coast region devastated by Hurricane Katrina. As an immediate demonstration of support, GlaxoSmithKline is donating one million dollars to the relief effort. Of those funds, $500,000 will go to the American Red Cross, $250,000 to the Mississippi Hurricane Fund and $250,000 to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation. The company will also provide medicines and health care products in support of the disaster recovery.
"GSK is committed to helping in the massive relief effort that will be necessary," said Christopher Viehbacher, President, US Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline. "Our first priority is to assist the American Red Cross and state-based organizations that can directly respond to the essential needs of people in these dire circumstances."
As a health care company with a broad range of medicines, vaccines and consumer health care products, GSK is also working closely with relief organizations and government officials to donate products to the Gulf Coast region. These organizations are expert in determining how best to distribute supplies efficiently, where and when they are most needed.
Given the extensive damage to basic utility services, a number of prescription medicines such as antibiotics and vaccines are likely to be in high demand. GSK's medicines for diabetes, respiratory diseases and other chronic conditions may also be needed by patients. GSK also stands ready to donate substantial quantities of personal hygiene products such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, and nonprescription medicines.
Like many large companies in the US, GSK has a substantial number of employees, more than 1,000, who live and work along the Gulf Coast. Internal resources are being deployed to assist employees and their families in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. GSK is also responding to the desire of its employees and retirees to support relief efforts through monetary donations, which the Company will match through its Matching Gifts Program and through the United Way.
GSK has a long history of providing humanitarian relief. By quickly activating established relationships with relief organizations, such as AmeriCares and MAP International, and having warehoused products designated for donation, GSK's products reach those in need when disasters strike. Last year, GSK provided life-saving medicines to support disaster relief efforts and impoverished communities in over 100 countries, including aid for the tsunami in South Asia, Bangladesh, Sudanand hurricane relief in Central America, the Caribbean and the US.
GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
Inquiries:
US Media inquiries:
Gaile Renegar
(919) 483 2319
Merck Response to Hurricane Katrina
Our thoughts are with the families and communities along the Gulf Coast of the United States that have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding in the region.
Merck has already taken steps to assist with the enormous relief efforts that are under way:
* The Merck Company Foundation made an immediate $1 million donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support relief efforts associated with Hurricane Katrina.
* Merck is working closely with the Departments of Health of affected states and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to assess the need for donated Merck vaccines, antibiotics and other necessary medicines. The Company has already donated more than U.S. $2.6 million in vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Hemophilus influenzae type b (HIB), measles, mumps and rubella to assist relief efforts. Merck expects to continue to make substantial donations of medicines and vaccines as the need is assessed.
* Additional shipments of Merck medicines worth more than $140,000 are being delivered through the non-governmental organizations Direct Relief International, Interchurch Medical Assistance, MAP International and Project HOPE. In addition, Merck has made a commitment to replace prescription medicines for patients (through retail pharmacies or Merck's Patient Assistance Program) who may have lost their existing prescriptions as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
* U.S.-based Merck employees and retirees may make cash contributions to relief agencies responding to the disaster through the Company's matching funds program. Donations made through this program will be matched dollar for dollar with funds from The Merck Company Foundation.
Merck continues to work with our own divisional and regional management, local health authorities and relief organizations to determine how best to help victims of this disaster as well as our own Merck family who have been affected.
About Disaster Relief at Merck
Through the Merck Medical Outreach Program (MMOP), Merck donates pharmaceuticals and vaccines to select, qualified, U.S.-based private voluntary organizations (PVOs) to support disaster relief and emergency situations worldwide. The MMOP also provides medicines and vaccines to select PVOs for use in the developing world. Established in 1958, the MMOP is one of Merck's longest-standing philanthropic programs.
In general, Merck works through established channels and with trusted partners to provide medicines and vaccines to assist disaster relief efforts. In certain cases, Merck also provides cash donations. In recent years, Merck contributions went to assist earthquake survivors in Iran; flood victims in Germany, Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and hurricane relief efforts in Florida and Central America. Following the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami that struck Asia and parts of Africa, Merck and its employees made significant donations through cash, products and employee contributions to assist relief efforts in the region.
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