MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ACROSS MERCK & CO., INC., PFIZER INC., AND ELI LILLY AND COMPANY ACTIVATE TO SUPPORT HEALTH SYSTEMS, FIRST RESPONDERS AND PATIENTS AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
April 01, 2020
Three leading biopharmaceutical companies have announced programs enabling employees with medical and laboratory expertise to volunteer their services to local healthcare systems and those hardest hit by COVID-19.
KENILWORTH, N.J. & NEW YORK & INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Merck & Co., Inc., (NYSE: MRK), Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced medical service volunteer programs to enable employees who are licensed medical professionals to aid in the fight against COVID-19 while maintaining their base pay. This new effort is one of the many ways that America?s biopharmaceutical companies are coming together to fight COVID-19. Together, these three major biopharmaceutical companies employ thousands of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical laboratory technicians and other medical professionals whose services are in high demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these companies are expanding their existing corporate volunteer programs so that qualified employees who opt to serve can do so for a longer period of time than normally allowed.- Merck will support its employees around the world who are uniquely qualified to provide medical services and wish to aid communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the U.S., Merck intends to collaborate with The Health Management Academy to identify facilities with the greatest need and triage potential qualifying volunteers to serve.
- Pfizer has created a new Global COVID-19 Medical Service Program that empowers medical colleagues to provide diagnostic, treatment, and public health support in the battle against COVID-19. Licensed medical professionals who feel duty-bound to provide their services during this crisis will now have a way to engage in the fight against COVID-19. Colleagues will continue to receive their full pay, benefits, and be able to return to their position upon completion of service.
- Lilly is deploying its medical professionals to staff a free drive-through COVID-19 testing facility at its corporate headquarters in Indianapolis. The testing facility serves active frontline health care workers and first responders, as a service to the community and in an effort to protect people working on the front lines of this pandemic. Lilly scientists are using the company?s specialized research laboratories to analyze the tests, as well as samples taken in Indiana health care facilities, including nursing homes and emergency rooms, in partnership with the Indiana State Department of Health. Lilly is also allowing trained medical professionals to volunteer in service of patients.
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Media: Patrick Ryan, Merck (201) 452-2409 Sally Beatty, Pfizer (347) 330-7867 Scott MacGregor, Eli Lilly (317) 440-4699 Source: Pfizer Inc.