HPIC and Rx&D renew agreement to provide hope and essential medicines to the
Developing World

Signing Ceremony held in Mississauga as part of HPIC's 20^th Anniversary

TORONTO, Oct. 14 /CNW/ - Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) and Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) today renewed a formal partnership agreement to help speed the delivery of medicines and other supplies to people in need across the developing world.

"This partnership has made a difference for so many people in their time of need in so many countries," said HPIC President Glen Shepherd. "Today, we want to strengthen and renew our common commitment and acknowledge those who are helping to fulfill the vision of those who forged this relationship two decades ago."

The agreement comes as HPIC marks its 20^th anniversary of providing aid to developing countries. Rx&D companies have supported the charitable non-government organization since its inception.

"Rx&D is proud of its collaboration with HPIC in bringing help to people and regions ravaged by disasters and hope to those who live in the world's poorest countries," said Rx&D President Russell Williams. "Our long term relationship with Health Partners International of Canada is part of our ongoing commitment to improve access to medicines and vaccines for people no matter where they live."

In Haiti, after the devastating earthquake in January, HPIC and Rx&D reacted immediately, shipping Physician Travel Packs (PTPs) and bulk medicines with a value of about $5 million. Each PTP, which can be hand-carried by medical personnel, has enough basic medicines to treat 600 patients. In the initial response in Haiti, enough Physician Travel Packs were delivered to treat 156,000 patients.

The renewal of the partnership agreement will strengthen the mutual response of both HPIC and Rx&D to humanitarian crises and will help to improve the health and lives of children and adults in developing countries. In addition, it will also provide greater stability and a more co-ordinated approach to giving while raising awareness which will help in attracting more donors.

Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Williams were joined in signing the agreement by Marion McCourt, President and CEO, AstraZeneca Canada and member of the Rx&D Board of Directors and the Honourable Jake Epp, HPIC Chairman and Canada's former Minister of Health.  The ceremony brought together leaders in the biopharmaceutical community, their partners in delivering aid to the developing countries and members of the NGO community.

Rx&D member companies contributed to the very first HPIC shipment in 1990 and since then have provided more than $250 million in medicines and vaccines to HPIC humanitarian missions. 

In addition, the research-based pharmaceutical industry is involved in more than 200 health partnerships that contribute more than $9 billion in aid to the developing world. This has brought better health care to an estimated 1.75 billion people through initiatives to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS, build hospitals and train doctors while also funding research to fight the diseases of the developing world.

About HPIC

Providing health and spreading hope is the mission of Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC), a Canadian humanitarian organization that sent its first shipment of medical aid in 1990.  HPIC has provided more than $330 million in donated medicines, vaccines, medical supplies and devices since 1990 to 110 countries.  HPIC partners with Canadian companies, government agencies, medical professionals, aid agencies and individuals from across the country to provide medical aid.  Together with its partners, HPIC is improving the health and lives of children and adults in the developing world.  For more information, visit: www.hpicanada.ca

About Rx&D

Rx&D is the association of leading research-based pharmaceutical companies dedicated to improving the health of Canadians through the discovery and development of new medicines and vaccines. Our community represents 15,000 men and women working for 50 member companies and invests more than $1 billion in research and development each year to fuel Canada's knowledge-based economy. Guided by our Code of Ethical Practices, our membership is committed to working in partnership with governments, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in a highly ethical manner.

For further information:

Christina Parsons
Director, Corporate communications
HPIC
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]

François Lessard 
Rx&D Communications
Telephone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]