AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline donate medicines to Lebanon

British pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca are among several companies who have donated antibiotics, painkillers and heart medicines to Lebanon, the International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) has reported.

Approximately $5 million has so far been made available in terms of the wholesale value of the drugs, although IFPMA says that the speed in which the companies have delivered the medicines is “more significant”.

The rapid response is down to the close cooperation of organisations like the UK’s International Health Partnerships in focusing the efforts of the pharmaceutical industry’s attempts to provide humanitarian aid.

Among the medicines provided by the companies involved in the programme are anaesthetics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antiretrovirals, beta-blockers, heart medicines, painkillers and tranquilisers.

IFPMA’s director general, Dr Harvey Bale, remarked: “Such a rapid response can only be achieved by working closely with the organizations on the ground, national governments and the World Health Organisation.”

“[The] donations were to meet the specific emergency demands of the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation and experienced non-governmental organizations operating in the region,” he added.

Among the other companies included in the scheme are Abbott, Bayer, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen-Cilag, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Proctor & Gamble, Sanofi-Aventis and Schering Plough.

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