By Fritz Bittenbender

Last week, one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the United States slammed into the Gulf Coast. The extent of the devastation is still to be determined, and the next months and years will show the determination and strength of the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. But the immediate needs could overwhelm anyone. Fortunately, the United States is the strongest, most giving nation in the world, and that is being shown in the response by all Americans to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

Pennsylvania Bio is proud of its member companies’ responses to this disaster, and I would like to take this space to thank all of them, and all of our members that are encouraging employees to aid the victims of Katrina. The bio-pharmaceutical industry globally is one of the most giving industries. We know that the following list of company support is not comprehensive. We are certain many more of you are reaching out to help our fellow Americans during this trying time. We encourage you to email us how your company is responding so that we know the full extent of the generosity of our companies (president@pennsylvaniabio.org).

We know that the victims of the disaster are in all of our thoughts and prayers. The efforts to support the needs of the people affected by Hurricane Katrina and the efforts to rebuild the Gulf Coast region will require an unprecedented response. We know that the bioscience industry will continue to help those in need. To show your continuing support, donations can be made to the American Red Cross.

In addition to this list, many global pharmaceutical companies are working with licensed pharmacies to provide emergency prescription medications to patients.

Pennsylvania Bio Members:

AMGEN

• Initial cash donation of $2.5 million and establishing a company-wide Hurricane Katrina Relief Program in support of humanitarian aid, with a special focus on access to health care.
• The Amgen Foundation will match all staff contributions via their relief site.
• Working to ensure uninterrupted distribution of products to suppliers, physicians and most importantly, patients in the impacted areas.

ASTRAZENECA

• Initial cash donation of $1 million to the American Red Cross.
• Will match company employee donations to the American Red Cross dollar-for-dollar.
• Will make product donations to national and local disaster relief organizations providing aid to hurricane affected areas along with free medicines to patients and clinics through the company’s Patient Assistance Programs.

BAYER

• Initially committing $2 million in cash and product donations.   Will provide additional financial and other types of assistance.
• Will match Bayer employee donations dollar-for-dollar, which will then be donated to the American Red Cross.

BMS

• Initial donation of $1 million in cash to the Red Cross.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation will match all BMS U.S. employee donations to the American Red Cross.
• Mead Johnson Nutritionals is currently shipping infant formula to the federal government and is working with the American Red Cross to coordinate the shipment of additional products.
• Working with company’s relief agency partners to arrange the donation and distribution of Bristol-Myers Squibb medicines.

CEPHALON

• Matching employee donations to hurricane relief organizations.

ELI LILLY

• Donating $1 Million to American Red Cross.
• Donating $1 million in insulin products, working through Heart to Heart and the American Red Cross.
• Plans to send 40,000 vials of refrigerated insulin.
• Will match dollar-for-dollar employee contributions to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. 

GLAXOSMITHKLINE

• Immediate cash donations totaling $2 million to American Red Cross, Mississippi Hurricane Fund and Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation.
• Matching employee contributions.
• Donating medicines and health products as needed.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON

• Donating an initial $5 million in cash to various relief and charitable organizations.
• In addition, donated in excess of $1 million worth of essential disaster relief products including 5,000 personal care kits and two Disaster Relief Modules to MAP International. Donations have included include non-prescription pain relievers, wound care products, prescription medicines and surgical products.
• Working closely with disaster relief organizations to meet the immediate needs for personal care and medical products and determine ongoing requirements.
• Matching employee and retiree donations to relief organizations. Donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

MERCK

• Immediate cash donation of $1 million from The Merck Company Foundation to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts.
• Working closely with affected states and relief agencies to donate requested Merck medicines and vaccines, including such medicines as Hepatitis A vaccine (usually needed in flood situations) and antibiotics.   Also, replacement of prescription medicines for victims, hospitals and clinics that lost medicines in the flood.
• Ensuring that areas impacted are aware of the Merck Patient Assistance Program, which provides donated medicines free for eligible Americans.
• 100% match (by The Merck Company Foundation) of employee donations to qualified relief agencies engaged in disaster relief efforts.

PFIZER

• Donating $1 million for rebuilding hospital and healthcare centers.
• Donating $1 million for relief organizations: the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the United Way of America.
• Donation of medicines, consumer and animal health products.

ROCHE

• Matching employee donations to the American Red Cross.
• Evaluating needs for product re-supply, product donations, and potential needs for health care system rebuilding in the devastated areas.
• Working with the American Red Cross and other relief organizations on the ground to see how Roche capabilities and expertise can support their efforts.

SANOFI-AVENTIS

• Matching employee donations.
• Securing medicines such as injectable diabetes medicine and antibiotics to donate to the relief effort.
• Additional cash donations, targeted relief aid in process.
• Helping employees who have been affected by the storm.

WYETH

• Donating $1 million, which will be distributed to several organizations including the American Red Cross and the Children’s Health Fund
• Established two initiatives to help provide access to prescription medications to victims who have been tragically affected by Hurricane Katrina.
• Matching employee donations to the American Red Cross.
• Donating needed pharmaceutical products to relief efforts.