Saving Haiti: One Donation at a Time (UPDATED 1/21)

It’s been less than three days since new broke of a massive earthquake in Haiti that all but leveled the struggling country. With thousands dead, a devastated infrastructure, and no emergency plan, countries and businesses around the world have joined in the effort to help the Haitian people with food, supplies, and money. Here’s what some pharma companies are doing to send relief to our neighbors.

“The recent earthquake has had a devastating impact on Haiti’s limited health care system, which was already facing significant challenges,” stated Catherine V. Babington, president, the Abbott Fund. “Building on our existing partnerships with humanitarian organizations in Haiti, we are providing funding and product donations to help address the immense and immediate health needs.”

• Teva Pharmaceuticals will be donating more than $7 million in medicine. Teva is working with several of its Non-Governmental Organization partners to ensure these drugs are delivered to Haiti without delay.
• King Pharmaceuticals donated $200,000 to the American Red Cross to help with its Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
• The Genentech Foundation committed $500,000 to support disaster relief. Here’s the break down: A grant of $200,000 to CARE will help provide  food, water and hygiene items to people in need. A grant of $200,000 to Mercy Corps will provide medical supplies  and support medical teams on the ground. A $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross International Fund will  go toward tarps, tents and other emergency housing items to provide shelter for  the millions left homeless.
• Sanofi-aventis has committed 1 million Euros in financial aid to long-term reconstruction initiatives and the rehabilitation of the population of Haiti.
• Pfizer pledged $1 million in product donations and $250,000 cash (to UNICEF and CARE). Additionally, Pfizer Canada is matching all employee donations up to $250.
• GSK donated $1.4 million in medicines to many different relief organizations, as well as $408,000 to the British Red Cross to treat water contamination.
• Bayer is providing medicines to the Red Cross to be distributed to earthquake victims. Additionally, the company is doubling employee donations up to EUR $100,000.
• Abbott announced on Wednesday that it would send $1 million $2.5 million in aid and medical products to Haiti. The first wave of support comes in the form of $100,000 in grants to the American Red Cross, Partners in Health, and Catholic Medical Mission Board.
• Lilly stated that it has pledged $250,000 in cash, half of which is being sent ASAP, and the other half will be staggered over the next year to help rebuild the country. The company will also match employee donations, up to $250,000.
• Amgen said that it would donate $2 million to the Haitian government to help bolster relief efforts. Additionally, the company will use its Disaster Relief Program Web site to help employees donate additional funds. All donations through the site will be matched by Amgen.

This list will be updated as we hear from other pharma companies. Please contact us at gkoroneos@advanstar.com if you know of a pharma company involved in the relief effort.