Lilly donates millions to life-saving medicines

Lilly donated $300 million (197.27 million pounds) during 2008 to life-saving medicines around the world.

Some $4.4 million was contributed to help eliminate multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and a further $17 million was committed to diabetes education.

Employees from the company volunteered for over 160,000 hours collectively last year and on one single day 22,000 members of staff gave their services for free in more than 55 countries.

United Way has now recognised the work Lilly has done by honouring them with the Top National Award for Community Efforts.

Chariman and chief executive officer of the pharmaceutical company Dr John Lechleiter said helping others is part of the business’ heritage, adding it was amazing to see the employees embrace these values.

“Receiving the ? award is a tremendous honour – yet the greatest honour remains in witnessing the large and small differences in the lives of others,” he said.

Lilly has also recently received an award for its services to the industry.

It won the bronze award for Health Information and Decision Support at the 2009 Best Practices in Healthcare Consumer Empowerment and Protection Awards.