Major Pharmaceutical Corporations and Non-Governmental Organizations Meet to Discuss Response to Afghanistan

Direct Relief International
Friday, 22 February 2002

Direct Relief International hosts strategy meeting in Santa Barbara, California to discuss Afghan relief and other international health issues

Representatives from the world's leading pharmaceutical companies will meet early next week with leading U.S. international relief organizations at the Santa Barbara, California headquarters of Direct Relief International. The meeting is for members of The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD). Among the issues to be discussed is the response to the emergency and ongoing medical needs in Afghanistan.

PQMD is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to improving health of people around the world and raising standards for medical product donations. The membership of PQMD is comprised of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and pharmaceutical and medical supply manufacturers who share a common commitment to advancing effective drug and medical supply donation practices.

"We are delighted to host this meeting among the leading medical companies and our colleague non-governmental organizations working to improve health for people in developing countries," said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief International President and CEO. "The existence of PQMD is, in itself, a tremendous positive step. It provides a unique forum for both industry and NGO members to come together, wrestle with inherently complex issues from their different respective vantages, and push forward."

PQMD Members directly involved in Afghan relief efforts will deliver a status report on the situation, their response activities, and plans for additional assistance.

In addition, members will discuss several recent initiatives. PQMD has participated in a World Bank-funded study to evaluate drug donations in developing countries and met in Geneva with representatives of the World Health Organization, which develops guidelines for essential drug donations throughout the world.

Tighe, who previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the Peace Corps, said, "Official Government aid is unquestionably needed and important, but private relief and development activities are critical elements in the larger scheme of international assistance to developing countries. Collectively, PQMD members distribute over $600 million per year in medicines and medical supplies to improve living conditions for people in dire need – and these meetings enable us to ensure these enormous resources are most effectively used."

The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD) provides a unique forum for corporate and voluntary organizations dedicated to the advancement of efficient and effective processes for the donation of quality medicines, vaccines and medical supplies to meet the needs of under-served populations and disaster victims around the world. Members of the growing coalition, which is made up of US-based pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, and non-governmental organizations, currently include: Abbott Laboratories, BD, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Pharmacia, Pfizer Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, AmeriCares, Catholic Medical Mission Board, Interchurch Medical Assistance, Inc., International Aid, MAP International, Project HOPE, Direct Relief International, Heart to Heart International, and Northwest Medical Teams.

Founded in 1948 by two immigrant businessmen, Direct Relief International is a non-profit, non-sectarian medical relief organization based in Santa Barbara, California. For 54 years, Direct Relief has provided medical support with pharmaceuticals, supplies, and new and refurbished medical equipment to over 3,000 charitable health facilities worldwide. In 2001, the organization provided more than $81.5 million (wholesale value) in medical aid to 60 countries, enough provisions to serve more than 10.4 million people and to keep hundreds of local health professionals and clinics productively engaged. Worth Magazine and The Chronicle of Philanthropy have recently named Direct Relief International among the top national non-profits.

For more information, or to contact Direct Relief International, see their website at: www.directrelief.org