As a medicines company, Novartis has delivered more than 1.5 million packs of medicines—which amounts to approximately USD 38 million in medical aid—to maintain the supply to those who rely on these drugs in Ukraine and the border areas where people are seeking refuge. This is in addition to an initial USD 3 million donation to charities supporting refugees and displaced people in Ukraine and bordering countries. Our associates, in solidarity, have voluntarily donated USD 2.2 million.
Patient organizations (POs) face an unprecedented challenge to deliver their core support services and address other pressing needs during this war. This includes services such as patient transfer to get treatment abroad, translations of medical reports and patient data, and dissemination of knowledge of hospitals prepared to admit patients, among others. POs are rising to the challenge to ensure the health and safety of their constituents, which Novartis is supporting with a USD 1 million aid.
The safety and security of our people remain our top priority, and we will constantly review the situation in the country. With the start of aggression, we suspended our operations in Ukraine and focused on humanitarian support. Our team in Ukraine is now working remotely and continues to play a critical role in maintaining our priority to ensure that those in need of life-changing medicines receive the best possible support from Novartis and Sandoz.