Drug makers donate cash, supplies

Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. — From antibiotics and pain relievers to bandages and cash, pharmaceutical and healthcare firms are chipping in to help victims of Sunday's devastating earthquake and tsunami in southern Asia and eastern Africa.

The official death toll climbed to 77,000 yesterday and the Red Cross predicted it could pass 100,000 if lack of clean water leads to outbreaks of respiratory and waterborne diseases.

Pfizer Inc., the world's biggest drug company, said yesterday it will donate $10 million to relief groups operating in the affected countries.

Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson announced an initial cash donation of $2 million and is sending wound care, pain relief and personal care products.

Abbott Laboratories is giving $2 million in cash, plus $2 million in products such as the child nutritional supplement Pedia-Sure.

Merck & Co. pledged an initial contribution of $250,000 plus medicine, and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. committed $100,000 and said it will ship antibiotics and other products to the area.

Kaiser Permanente, one of the country's biggest hospital systems, said it would send some of its 5,000 doctors to help and would donate $100,000.

Industrial conglomerate Tyco International Ltd. was sending 200 cases of bandages, sutures, surgical gloves and other products from its health care division.