When a 7.6 magnitude earthquake rocked Pakistan in October 2005 killing 80,000 people, injuring 100,000 and leaving three million homeless, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals came to the aid of the youngest survivors.
The Pennsylvania-based drug manufacturer generously donated 1 million doses of the vaccine HibTITER valued at $28.5 million. As blizzards plagued Pakistan’s Allai Valley that winter, the vaccine helped protect children left homeless by the earthquake from bacteria that can cause meningitis.
Staff photo
Wyeth vaccines arrive in Pakistan after a 2005 earthquake.
When another devastating earthquake hit Peru two years later, Wyeth once again came to the rescue of the smallest victims, providing $2 million worth of its Prevnar vaccine which prevents bacterial infections. AmeriCares launched the vaccination initiative in Huancavelica, Peru in April.
Wyeth, maker of prescription drugs such as Enbrel and Effexor as well as over-the-counter drugs such as Advil and Centrum vitamins, has partnered with AmeriCares since 1986 when it donated medicines to Haiti and the Philippines. Over the years it has responded to numerous disasters, including earthquakes in El Salvador and India in 2001, and Hurricane Katrina in the United States.
“Thanks to AmeriCares, we were able to bring our life-saving vaccines to needy countries in a timely manner,” said Nand Kumar, director of International Access Programs for Wyeth. “We truly value our relationship with AmeriCares, especially in times of crises. We think of AmeriCares as our ‘go to’ partner.”
Over the past 22 years, Wyeth has donated nearly $66 million worth of medicines to 58 countries in partnership with AmeriCares.
“In times of disasters, Wyeth has been a great partner,” said Randy Weiss of AmeriCares Corporate Relations Department. “Donations of their vaccines have enabled AmeriCares to help prevent the spread of disease among children, who are usually the most vulnerable after a disaster.”
