Hospira to aid humanitarian relief in Japan

Hospira has committed to working with not-for-profit organisations to aid relief efforts following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan last week.

The company will be donating around $250,000 (154,731 pounds) to help the humanitarian relief efforts conducted by bodies such as the Japanese Red Cross, Unicef, Project Hope and Direct Relief International.

It will also be providing matching gifts for employee donations made via its philanthropic division the Hospira Foundation, up to a maximum of $50,000.

In addition to this, Hospira announced that it is assessing specific medical needs in the country alongside its partners, with product donations to be made after these evaluations are completed.

Christopher Begley, chairman and chief executive officer of the company, said: "We hope that our donations will help restore health and wellness to Japan."

Later this month, Mr Begley will be succeeded in the role of chief executive officer by F Michael Ball, the current president of Allergan.