Bayer provides donation of medicines for Ebola relief

Bayer has announced that it will be making $3.2 million (1.99 million pounds) worth of medical products available to treat Ebola patients in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The company will donate the medicines to the US aid organisation Direct Relief free of charge. The supplies will include antibiotics in various dosages and forms of administration, which will be used to help prevent secondary infections among Ebola victims.

Previously, the firm provided immediate relief in the form of medicines and monetary donations worth $32,000 to Caritas International directly after the outbreak. Its continued support for those affected underlines its commitment to high corporate social responsibility standards.

Michael Konig, member of the Bayer board of management responsible for human resources, technology and sustainability, said: "We want to help the victims in the countries affected and make our contribution to bringing the worsening situation under control."

More than 3,000 people have died as a result of the current Ebola epidemic, making it the most serious outbreak of the disease in recorded history.