How Pharma industry stands for Peace and human rights

3rd May 2022 by Paraskevi Makedonopoulou

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops in February was a shock for everyone. This included the pharmaceutical industry, with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) declaring in its official statement, ‘As an industry dedicated to saving lives, we stand for peace. Therefore, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and condemn the invasion of their country’. ABPI members united to provide support to those affected by the conflict in the most vulnerable,  including patients.


What support is being offered?

There are two main ways that the pharmaceutical industry is offering support:

1) Humanitarian and financial support to several NGOs, such as UNICEF, Red Cross  and the UN Refugee Agency among others, as laid out in the 

EFPIA Statement on the crisis in Ukraine. 

2) Donations and maintenance of the supply of essential medicine, including antibiotics, emergency kits, and mental health support to those who need it most.


In total, over 29 pharmaceutical companies and members of the ABPI have provided   

> 59 million USD in donations of essential medicines and humanitarian support via several NGOs, charities, and in collaboration with the Ukrainian government. Furthermore,  3 million packs of lifesaving antibiotics and other specialised medicines, including treatment regimens for anaemia, influenza, rheumatoid arthritis, cardio-vascular diseases and oncology treatments and at least 2 tons of emergency kits and sterile medical items have already been shipped.

 

The industry’s reaction to the conflict demonstrates an ongoing commitment to improving and saving lives. As the conflict continues many people are still at risk, thus, this support from the pharmaceutical industry needs to be ongoing. 




References:

https://www.abpi.org.uk/ukraine/

https://www.efpia.eu/news-events/the-efpia-view/statements-press-releases/efpia-statement-on-the-crisis-in-ukraine/

https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/roche-sanofi-and-many-pharmas-more-pledge-essential-meds-ukraine-industry-condemns-russian

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