BMS, GSK, Johnson and Johnson, Novartis, Schering-Plough and Wyeth sponsor drug education programme

A number of leading pharmaceutical companies are sponsoring a programme that seeks to explain to high school students how medicines are manufactured.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Johnson & Johnson, Schering-Plough and Wyeth are all sponsoring the programme, together with a number of public bodies.

BMS reports the programme will use a laboratory experiment to show how easily disease can spread, while also showing how clinical trials are conducted.

The programme will also demonstrate procedures used to assure the safety of medicines.

A number of new US school districts have recently joined the RxeSearch programme, which was originally created by BMS in conjunction with local schools and the National Science Resources Centre.

Anders Hedberg, director of corporate philanthropy for BMS, said: “In today?s global competition for talent, we need to help our graduating high school students get better prepared for the science and technology workplace.”

He added the programme helps students learn and practice skills in critical thinking, resource management, problem solving and decision making, all in a team environment.

Last week, BMS announced the launch of its Secure The Future technical assistance programme for HIV management in Sub-Saharan Africa.