One of the world’s 15 leading pharmaceutical companies, The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation (BICF) is dedicated to making positive, lasting differences in the lives of underserved patients, their loved ones, medical professionals and communities around the world. Through its product donation program, BICF makes its leading medications available to Americares. Over the course of two decades, BI products valued at over $105 million have gone to more than 40 countries, including Cambodia, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Gaza, India, Senegal, Vietnam and the U.S.
“When I think back to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, remembering all the challenges of responding to urgent requests from hospital and health care providers in the Gulf Coast, and the BI folks were just unwavering in their commitment to us,” said Randy Weiss, a corporate relations manager for Americares. “BICF is a partner that is always willing to try to fulfill our special requests.”
BICF is also collaboraing with Americares on a local initiative in Connecticut, through the Americares Free Clinics. In late 2005, the Boehringer Ingelheim-Americares Free Clinics Outreach Program was launched to provide free, quality health care to the uninsured working poor in the Greater Danbury communities of Bethel, Brookfield and New Milford. Utilizing a mobile medical clinic, volunteer physicians and nurses are able to treat patients who might otherwise go without care, due to a lack of health insurance.
This program is being funded by a $750,000 grant from BICF, a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, based in Ridgefield, Connecticut. This grant has allowed the Americares Free Clinic of Danbury to effectively double its hours of operation, thus significantly increasing the amount of care they can provide in the community.
“We are proud of the strong partnership that we have built with Americares over the years and we look forward to the continuing growth of the relationship,” said Amy Fry, President of the BI Cares Foundation. “In the future, the BICF will continue to support its mission to bring product donations to those in need wherever possible, to be responsive to disaster relief efforts, and to support our local community.
In celebration of Boehringer Ingelheim’s longstanding partnership, Americares awarded the company with its third annual Power of Partnership Award in October 2007. The award recognizes medical manufacturing and distribution organizations that have shown exceptional dedication to expanding access to medicines and health care for disadvantaged populations in the developing world.