Canada's pharmaceutical industry rallying together through HPIC to send essential medicines to the Philippines

MONTREAL, Dec. 3, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Ten tonnes of donated essential medicine and medical supplies from Canada were delivered by Health Partners International Canada (HPIC) to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Cebu, Philippines today. The medicines will be distributed where the needs are greatest in the affected areas.

This major donation, representing 240,000 treatments contained in 400 Emergency Physician Travel Packs, is just part of the medical relief efforts HPIC has coordinated for the Philippines. Many Canadian individuals, corporations and organizations have sprung into action since Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines in November.  The two sectors of Canada's pharmaceutical industry are working together to provide hope and healing to the 11 million people affected by the storm.

"This medicine will mean the difference between sickness and health, pain and relief, life and death," said HPIC President Glen Shepherd. "We are so grateful to Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) and the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA) and many of their member companies for supporting our medical relief efforts in such a direct and practical way."

In partnership with HPIC's Health+Hope Alliance partner IHP-UK, HPIC has two representatives on the ground. Dr. Jorge Martinez is in Cebu and is HPIC's eyes and ears in the city where all the aid efforts are being coordinated. Dr. Martinez is attending the WHO Health Cluster Meetings and will personally receive the medicine arriving today. Trudi Hilton, Chief Pharmacist with IHP-UK, just came back from Manila where she was working with the Philippines Department of Health to ensure that the medicines are handled properly and dispensed according to best practices.

To date, HPIC's pharmaceutical industry donors have committed $8 million in donated medicine and medical supplies. (See the annex for a complete list of donors) HPIC has already provided 458 Emergency Physician Travel Packs or 274,800 treatments. HPIC expects to provide more medical relief in bulk shipments and in portable Physician Travel Packs in the weeks to come.

HPIC is a Canadian not-for-profit relief and development organization dedicated to increasing access to medicine and improving health in the developing world. We provide donated essential medicines and hospital supplies; build health sector capacities; and respond to emergencies and health threats. More info available on our website: www.hpicanada.ca and you can follow our updates on Facebook: www.facebook.com/hpicanada

Donors of medicines and medical supplies (as of Dec. 2, 2013) to HPIC's Philippines Medical Relief:

Allergan

AstraZeneca

Bayer

Covidien

GlaxoSmithKline

Henry Schein Canada

Jamieson Laboratories

Johnson & Johnson Inc.

Merck

Paladin

Pfizer

Pharmaceutical Partners of Canada (PPC)

Pharmascience

Purdue

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada

Teva

Vita Health Products Inc.

SOURCE: Health Partners International of Canada

Christina Parsons
Senior director, Communications
Cell : 514 949-9183
[email protected]
http://www.hpicanada.ca/fr/
www.facebook.com/hpicanada