Representative: Michael Mak
With the recent outbreak of H1N1 and yet the still unsolved pandemic of HIV/AIDS, global pandemics have cost countless lives. However, it is not a fight without progress. As the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, Johnson & Johnson is dedicated to “putting the needs and well being of the people we serve first”. As a company that is dedicated to the global community that it serves, Johnson & Johnson has and will continue to be a leader in global access to medicines, disaster relief, and philanthropic program development.
In both the developed and developing world, Johnson & Johnson has exhibited quality leadership in the area of pandemic preparedness. We have striven to make our first HIV/AIDS medication available to patients in sub-Saharan Africa and other least developed nations at a price that is 85% lower than the US commercial price. This is done through a royalty-free voluntary license agreement with a South African company, and sold to distributors at a price that should be less than $3 per day. We at Johnson & Johnson firmly believe that medication should be made readily accessible at low and affordable prices in underdeveloped countries.
In addition, a royalty free licence was provided to the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM), a non-profit product development partnership, for the development of the compound TMC 120 as a vaginal microbicide for HIV/AIDS prevention, IPM will develop, manufacture, and distribute the compound in resource poor countries. At Johnson & Johnson, we promote the sharing of innovative ideas, which will not only help save lives but also help countries grow through foreign investment.
Johnson & Johnson also provide medicines and other products through our product giving and disaster relief programs. Donations are made to organizations such as AmeriCares and MAP International that help medically underserved people in developing countries and provide emergency disaster relief. As a founding member of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations and one of the first companies to sign the WHO Guidelines for Donated Drugs, we make sure our product donations follow global standards. Again, Johnson & Johnson, through all the above examples demonstrate our leadership in global response to HIV/AIDS and other pandemics.
As a representative of Johnson & Johnson to the World Health Organization, I am committed to expressing the credo of Johnson & Johnson, which has helped guide company decisions since its founding. I will also advocate Johnson & Johnson’s policies regarding the quality of donated drugs worldwide, which should be followed by all donating pharmaceutical companies, as well as the promotion of royalty free licences to appropriate NGOs in order to foster and share innovative ideas. However, Johnson & Johnson is firm with the adherence to Intellectual Property Rights Protection by nations, and will not stand for governments who disregard said rules.
Caring for the world, one person at a time ... inspires and unites the people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science -- bringing innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and well-being of people. Our approximately 119,000 employees at more than 250 Johnson & Johnson companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of over a billion people every day, throughout the world.