More than Medicine: Corporate Social Responsibility Archives

What a relief effort!

By Lisa L, GSK Communications on November 5, 2009 1:59 PM | No Comments

Gift from GSK.jpg We all fill a number of interesting and very important roles here at GSK as we discover and develop life-saving medicines, and make sure these medicines end up in the hands of the people who need them. I love my job!

That being said, I envy what some of my colleagues do on a day-to-day basis, like my friend Sue who coordinates our product donations.

Sue never has any two days that look alike. She has the opportunity and challenge of her workday being turned completely upside down by events in the news--in a way international news rarely affects mine.

When a humanitarian disaster occurs, Sue is one of the first people to respond to the call. We are prepared to respond to disasters, along with our five main US partners: AmeriCares, Direct Relief, InterChurch Medical Assistance, MAP International and Project HOPE, because of the excellent internal management of people like Sue.

Though there are similar programs out there, our product donation program is unique. A few differences set our program apart. For example, we commit to donating products with a shelf-life of a year or more. We also include our product donations in the same production plan as our for-profit stock. We account for these donations at the production price as opposed to wholesale costs.

Ethical Performance magazine recently highlighted Sue and the Product Donations Program. Click to read more.

Looking Back as RTS,S Moves Forward

By Joe C, GSK Vaccines R & D on November 3, 2009 11:25 AM | No Comments

Seated from left: Salim Abdulla, Tanzanian PI; Joe Cohen (at microphone); Christian Loucq, PATH MVI; Regina Rabinovitch, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Looking out at the packed room full of reporters this afternoon, ready to announce the progress we have made with the RTS,S Phase III trial, I could not help but think about the past. One moment in particular comes to mind.

It was five years ago, in 2004, in a cramped room in Mozambique. The walls were sweating and so were we as we waited for the results of the very first RTS,S safety and efficacy trial in children. What would be revealed during that unblinding could make or break the vaccine. We were literally at the edge of our seats.

Those early results, later published in The Lancet, were proof that this vaccine could work in children.

Fast forward five years to today; this time we were the ones giving the good news. From Nairobi, we told the world that more than 5,000 children had been enrolled in the pivotal efficacy trial in just six months. No one person could have done this alone, and I am so grateful to every member of the RTS,S team, which has evolved and grown over the years. It has been my honor to work with them.

Today represented a turning point of sorts. It felt like I, along with all the scientists who have worked on this vaccine over the past two decades, was passing the baton to Africa. The future of this vaccine is now in the capable hands of Salim and Patricia, the two African Principal Investigators who joined me at the briefing today, and all of the other talented researchers leading the trial across Africa. As we head into the last part of this journey, they will usher RTS,S into the future on the ground.

For years, people have questioned whether this vaccine would ever see the light of day. And doubts still linger. But today we showed the world that our dream can become a reality in just a few short years. Looking into the future of RTS,S, I cannot help but echo the words of Kenya's most famous son: "Yes We Can." Indeed we must.

More from MIM

By Joe C, GSK Vaccines R & D on November 2, 2009 4:26 PM | No Comments

Hello from the Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi, Kenya!

It is a privilege to be here among the world's leading malaria researchers. I've had a busy first day already--connecting with colleagues old and new and attending plenaries, symposiums and scientific sessions.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow since we'll have a chance to update the media and many African journalists about RTS,S.

It's great to see the awareness grow about the vaccine--including an important commentary piece in The Lancet by the conference organizers. How few people would have imagined this historic milestone a few years ago?

Tomorrow, joining me at the media briefing, will be two African Principal Investigators who can explain what goes on to make this possible. Salim Abdulla and Patricia Njuguna are just two of the world-class African scientists in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania who are spearheading this effort. In the months leading up to Phase III, they have coordinated an incredible amount of training and capacity building just to get the trial off the ground. Their leadership has been extraordinary and just another reason why there is so much excitement here.

Will report back again after tomorrow's briefing...

Malaria Vaccine in Final Stretch

By Joe C, GSK Vaccines R & D on October 30, 2009 4:00 PM | No Comments

The excitement at GSK's Belgium-based vaccine research center is palpable as we make our last preparations to leave for Nairobi, Kenya, for next week's MIM Pan-African Malaria Conference. MIM stands for Multilateral Initiative on Malaria and it is the world's largest malaria meeting.

The conference brings together malaria researchers and control experts from malaria-endemic countries as well as malaria researchers, science administrators, and representatives from other countries, private foundations, governments and international organizations throughout the world.

We'll be giving a progress report on RTS,S, the world's most clinically advanced malaria vaccine candidate. A pivotal Phase III efficacy trial that will involve up to 16,000 children is underway in Africa.

This moment has special relevance to me because I helped invent RTS,S in the late 1980's and I have been working on it ever since. This is truly a shared endeavor, and we've enlisted such great partners as the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and research centers in the U.S., Europe and Africa.

Malaria kills about 800,000 African children every year and this vaccine has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives. I'm proud that the company I work for has not shied away from this technological and commercial challenge, and has invested over $300 million of its own resources in this project.

(To learn more, watch this story on CNBC.)

Collaboration in Action: GSK and the Redskins

By Michael M, GSK Communications on October 27, 2009 11:24 AM | No Comments

Since 2007, GSK and the Washington Redskins have worked together to boost public awareness around the impact that chronic diseases have on people in the DC area. Our focus is on improving community health awareness, providing free community health screenings, and preventing childhood obesity.

Although I live in Philadelphia--and am glad that the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Redskins last night--I am a fan of the Redskins organization.

On Sunday, October 4, the Washington Redskins, with the support of GSK and the Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) women's fraternity, recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month by distributing 45,000 pink breast cancer awareness ribbons to fans prior to the start of the Redskins vs. Buccaneers game at FedEx Field.

Handing out patient information cards and ribbons before the game were Tanya Snyder--wife of team owner Daniel M. Snyder and NFL Spokesperson for Breast Cancer Awareness--as well as Redskins players' and coaches' wives, the Hogettes, cheerleaders, alumni cheerleaders, ZTA, and GSK volunteers and others from the Redskins family.

This event represents the 2^nd year of GSK participation in communicating the important message of early detection and annual screenings for breast cancer. GSK and ZTA were also recognized by the Redskins at half-time for their support of boosting fan breast cancer awareness.

The October 4th game is one of several events that will be held during the 2009 season. Others will focus on boosting community awareness on the impact that chronic diseases have in their lives, childhood obesity prevention, and a free health screening event for Veteran's and their families in November.

GSK Honored with Komen "Friend in the Fight" Award

By Eric, GSK Oncology on October 19, 2009 9:44 AM | No Comments

In Philadelphia during the month of October, you cannot help but notice the pink tones everywhere you go. The Philadelphia skyline is awash in pink lights, the stores are packed with pink consumer goods, commercial airplanes are painted with pink underbellies, and even pro football teams are donned with pink wristbands and sneakers.

In October, pink stands for Breast Cancer Awareness. GSK is a wholehearted supporter of this cause--and we have been for many years. Our partner here in Philadelphia, The Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate, has witnessed it every day for the past 19 years and it can be summed up by three words: responsibility, dedication, caring.

GlaxoSmithKline has been a committed supporter of the Race for a Cure on Mother's Day in Philly, and we have recently extended our Race support to the Komen affiliate in Research Triangle Park, NC. GSK also has a keen perception of the plight of underserved communities in the breast cancer movement. Not everyone realizes that the playing field on which populations survive breast cancer needs to be level--but we certainly do--and we're working hard to make a difference.

This past weekend, Deirdre Connelly, GSK President, NA Pharmaceuticals, accepted the Friend in the Fight Award on behalf of GSK. Although the company was extremely honored and humbled to receive such an award, it was Deirdre who brought it all home:

"Let's not forget HER, "she said, "the woman who relies on Komen--and all of us--to give hope when she can't find it, a shoulder to lean on when she needs to it, and an embrace to honor her courage."

(Photo courtesy of Susan G. Komen for the Cure--Philadelphia.)

Happy Global Handwashing Day!

By Michael M, GSK Communications on October 15, 2009 11:15 AM | No Comments

Today hundreds of millions of schoolchildren and adults across the world will raise clean hands to celebrate the second annual Global Handwashing Day!

This is a part of a week of activities to encourage everyone to wash their hands with soap with the aim of improving hygiene and health.

Every year an estimated 3.5 million children die before their fifth birthday because of diarrhea and pneumonia. Simply washing hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet is one of the most effective and least expensive ways of preventing these illnesses, and could save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention. And faced with the global H1N1 outbreak, reinforcing good hand hygiene practice is particularly timely.

PHASE (Personal Hygiene and Sanitation Education) is a simple handwashing program that is helping save lives by teaching children the importance of handwashing, personal hygiene, water and waste sanitation. Initiated by GSK in 1998, it is a global initiative now operating in 13 countries, reaching more than one million children.

PHASE takes a holistic approach to healthcare, education, community development and water and sanitation. More than 346,000 children and their families participated in PHASE-related activities in 2008, and this year we expect to reach even more!

(Image courtesy of Global Handwashing Day.)

Passion for Public--and Pet--Health

By Mary Anne, GSK Communications on September 30, 2009 2:16 PM | No Comments

What is one thing children and their pets have in common? They both need vaccinations to stay healthy. Not long ago, the Cleveland County Health Department in North Carolina came up with a clever idea to address that need: a drive-through clinic for vaccinating children and their dogs and cats. The result? Cars lined up for blocks and, at the end of the day, about 1,000 animals and more than 260 people had been vaccinated.

This is just one of the great ideas being recognized today in North Carolina with the GlaxoSmithKline Child Health Recognition Awards. The awards were announced in Asheville during the North Carolina Public Health Association's annual meeting. The awards are a showcase for innovative public health programs.

And what a great competition it is. There are nutrition programs for premature babies, campaigns against childhood obesity, screening for oral health, and outreach to children who are poor and homeless or in foster homes.

We salute the tireless (and creative) efforts of these public health professionals to improve the health of our children and families. They are exemplified by Jennifer Garrett, school nurse supervisor in Macon County. Children know her as Princess Leah in "Tar Wars," a tobacco prevention program.

Thanks to all of these public health advocates whose vision for better child health inspires us all.

PharmaMom: A Balancing Act

By Rose, GSK Communications on September 23, 2009 2:41 PM | No Comments

A weekly post from a busy mom concerned about raising healthy children.

When I returned to GSK after my first child was born, I had some anxiety--but I was also excited. Not only was I returning to a new position, but I was also moving to a four-day week. My boss was supportive of the part-time schedule and agreed to try it out. Four years and another child later, I'm happy to report that I remain on the four-day schedule and, more importantly, I still have the support of my boss and colleagues, all whom understand the importance of finding the right balance between work and life.

This week GSK, was recognized by Working Mother Magazine as one of the '2009 Working Mother 100 Best Companies.' Part-time schedules are not the only options for employees to explore. Flex-time, telecommuting, job-sharing and wellness programs are available for employees to explore with their supervisors. These programs reinforce GSK's commitment to supporting a work/life balance.

Working moms aren't the only ones who benefit from GSK programs and initiatives. This month GSK was also recognized by AARP as one of the 'Best Employers for Workers Over 50' and by the Human Rights Campaign, who selected GSK as one of the 'Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.' This is the fifth year GSK was named on the HRC list and the first time named on AARP's list-both proud moments for GSK.

I'm proud to work for a company that is supportive of its diverse employee base. It proves to me that GSK is committed to welfare of all employees, both at work and at home.

Incidentally, I'm writing this post from home today as my son had a pretty high fever yesterday. He is doing fine, but his school, and most childcare facilities, are following the recommendations set out by the CDC, which tells parents to keep kids home for 24 hours after there is no longer a fever--and I'm not taking any chances. Fortunately, I have the ability to work from home on these occasions.

GSK makes it easier to get access to medicines.

By Mary Anne, GSK Communications on September 16, 2009 11:02 AM | No Comments

GSK has some good news for patients: It is now easier for people who are unemployed, without insurance or facing financial challenges to enroll in our free medicine program, Bridges to Access.

Patients who do not need their medicine right away can now enroll themselves by completing an easy one-page form. They no longer have to enroll through their doctor, nurse or pharmacist. On the other hand, patients needing immediate access to medicine can still enroll with the help of their healthcare advocate.

The best parts of the program continue to be that it is:

Fast. A free 90-day supply of medicine is mailed to eligible patients two days after receipt of the application, a prescription and verification of income. Immediate access to medicine is available for patients who enroll by telephone with the help of a healthcare advocate. They can go to a retail pharmacy and pick up a 60-day supply of medicine for a $10 copay.
Complete. Most GSK medicines used in an outpatient setting are covered. There is a separate program for oncology medicines and specialty pharmacy products.
Generous. Every day we give away medicines valued at more than $1.3 million wholesale acquisition cost (WAC). We have provided medicines valued at $2.5 billion (WAC) to more than 1.4 million patients.

GSK offers a number of other programs to help patients get access to the medicines they need. Information on all of the programs can be found at www.gskforyou.com.

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