Sandoz Philippines Corporation donated to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) a year's supply of high-quality Sandoz generic medicines, which will benefit almost 1,000 patients with infections and patients with hypertension. The donation was formalized in a Zoom video conference held on August 11, 2020 and attended by top officials of the two organizations.
“From the very bottom of my heart, I would like to thank Sandoz Philippines Corporation for your timely humanitarian gesture of donating badly needed antibiotics and anti-hypertension medicines. During these difficult times, it is important that people see the light at the end of the tunnel, especially those who are unable to buy medicines because they have no livelihood at the moment. Your donation speaks well of your company's corporate social responsibility. Maraming salamat, Sandoz,” said Senator Richard J. Gordon, PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
“We thank Sandoz for your support and generosity, as well as for your commitment to help our fellow Filipinos. The PRC is honored to be the humanitarian partner of an innovative leader in the pharmaceutical industry. We have a shared commitment to uplift human dignity through compassion and the provision of quality and affordable medicines,” said Ms. Elizabeth S. Zavalla, PRC Secretary General.
According to Senator Gordon, the PRC will distribute the donated medicines to the most vulnerable communities through the organization’s chapters nationwide. The PRC Health Services department will ask their chapters in the National Capital Region (NCR), which is currently the country’s COVID-19 hotspot, to identify communities where the donated medicines are most needed, Ms. Zavalla explained. The PRC will distribute the donated antibiotics to 15 government hospitals, she added.
“Sandoz Philippines Corporation is privileged to partner with the Philippine Red Cross in supporting patients’ access to essential medicines and contributing to the country’s COVID-19 response,” said Ms. Eleanor Lopez, Country Head, Sandoz Philippines Corporation.
Ms. Lopez stressed that optimal blood pressure control through maintenance anti-hypertension medications is crucial now more than ever. “Studies have shown that patients with uncontrolled hypertension are more likely to get COVID-19, have worse symptoms, and die from the infection.” She noted that with millions of patients affected by COVID-19 across the globe, the pandemic has put enormous pressure on critical medicine safety stocks. Healthcare workers are using every tool available to treat COVID-19 and related or secondary infections, resulting in heavy demand for several medicines, including antibiotics.
Sandoz as a global company has responded to these challenges by expanding manufacturing capacity to maintain a stable supply of generic medicines for patients. “We took early action to ensure patients could access our portfolio of medicines, despite the crisis. Measures such as proactive increases in inventory of antibiotics and respiratory medicines are now helping our company navigate COVID-related supply chain issues and continue to meet patient needs,” said Ms. Lopez. All Sandoz manufacturing sites and suppliers have continued full production and delivery throughout this crisis. Sandoz has also committed to ensuring stable pricing for a basket of its essential medicines, which may help treat COVID-19 patients.
“The Philippine Red Cross and Sandoz have a shared goal of saving lives. This partnership is only the beginning, and we look forward to our continuing collaboration. Together, we can do more,” said Ms. Zavalla.
“Sandoz Philippines Corporation looks forward to our continuing partnership with the Philippine Red Cross in our shared goal of strengthening the country’s healthcare system and caring for the health of Filipinos,” said Ms. Lopez.
