Sanofi-Synthelabo steps in

Published: 1-Jun-2003


Following urgent appeals for vital medical aid to Iraq, Sanofi-Synthelabo in the UK has rushed to provide critical supplies. Within hours of receiving the request the Guildford-based company teamed up with Virgin Atlantic to arrange a relief supply flight into Basra carrying 60 tonnes of desperately needed medical supplies. Sanofi-Synthelabo's potentially life saving drug Cordarone (amiodarone) used to treat certain heart conditions was one of the drugs that had been requested for urgent supply.

More than £2m of drugs and medical equipment have been donated to the appeal, which was flown by Virgin Atlantic into the newly reopened Basra airport. The flight was the first non-military aircraft to land in Iraq since 1990.

'This industry has always responded well to these situations. It does so in a very responsible manner in accordance with WHO guidelines. I am very proud of the contribution that Sanofi Synthelabo has made to this important work for the health of the people in Iraq,' said Professor Trevor Jones, Director General, ABPI.

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