TSUNAMI AID FROM PhRMA MEMBERS CONTINUES TO RISE

PhRMA members have contributed more than $61 million in aid to the victims of last month's tsunami, the trade association said in a recent statement.

"We are keeping in mind both immediate needs for medical supplies, as well as future needs that will develop but which no one can yet anticipate given the size and nature of this historic disaster," said PhRMA's newly appointed president and CEO Billy Tauzin.

PhRMA member companies have sent essential medicines to the area, including antibiotics, antifungals, anti-infectives, analgesics, vaccines for typhoid and hepatitis A, antidiarrhea medicines, pain relievers, anesthetics and antibacterial treatments.

In addition, these companies are offering water purification kits, vitamins, adult nutritional supplements, food and formula for infants, and bandages and surgical materials. The companies are working globally and with U.S. charitable organizations to distribute the materials, PhRMA said.

PhRMA has also said that it will match any employee contributions that are made to a charitable organization working directly on disaster relief.