Retailers, pharmacies among entities providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, supermarkets, retailers and other entities are stepping up to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.

Drug Store News has compiled a list of companies currently providing aid to those in need and resources they are making available for those interested in helping to do so. 

Pharmaceutical manufacturers:

• Pfizer is donating all profits of its Russian subsidiary to causes that provide direct humanitarian support to the people of Ukraine.
• Teva will be donating medicines valued at over $11 million, for acute therapies in support of Ukrainian refugees. The donations include over 1 million packages of antibiotics and other essential medicines, as well as hygienic products for Ukrainian infants and children. The donations made by Teva include over 1.3 million packs of medicines, valued at over $10.8 million (wholesale acquisition cost), most of which have been made in partnership with Teva's long-term partner 'Direct Relief'. The company also has donated more than 25,000 packs of antibiotics valued at approximately $180,000 to 'United Hatzalah.' Lastly, the company shared how it is cooperating with 'People in Need', a European NGO, to provide around 82,000 packs of medicines valued at approximately $180,000 for Ukrainian infants and children. 
• Eli Lilly is donating $7.5 million of insulin to Project Hope. The company also is facilitating a $1.8 million supply of baricitinib, used to treat complications of COVID-19, to Direct Relief, a U.S. nonprofit organization that specializes in mobilizing essential medicines, supplies and equipment, along with other critical emergency relief efforts. The Lilly Foundation also is making two equal monetary contributions totaling $500,000 to Direct Relief and to Americares to support their respective relief efforts in the region and matching eligible Lilly employee donations to all three organizations up to an additional $500,000. The company also will be donating any profits generated from its sales in Russia to organizations dedicated to humanitarian relief.
• Novartis has made an initial $3 million donation to charities supporting refugees and displaced people in Ukraine and bordering countries. 

Pharmacies

• Walgreens Boots Alliance shared that it is making an initial pledge of more than $1 million in humanitarian aid directly to four organizations leading critical relief efforts in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Contributions include monetary donations, as well as 1.4 million products such as first aid kits, PPE, baby products, basic toiletries and more. WBA also is supporting International Health Partners, American Red Cross, the United Nations Refugee Agency and humedica as part of their ongoing relief efforts.
• DePietro’s Pharmacy in Dunmore, Pa., is serving as a drop-off location for  Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church in Scranton, which is accepting medical relief and monetary donations, according to a report on PAhomepage. In addition, its owner has reportedly donated several boxes of medical supplies, which were given to a church, and are being flown by a Ukrainian agency free of charge to Poland. 

Beauty company

• E.L.F. Beauty shared that it has made a corporate donation to UNICEF’s emergency response to the crisis in the Ukraine to mobilize emergency support for children and families, and it will match its employee donations to organizations dedicated to humanitarian relief efforts for Ukraine, including UNICEF, CARE and GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Fund. In addition, the company’s chairman and CEO, Tarang Amin, and his wife Hirni, have matched the corporate donation and will personally match all employee donations as well. Across its brand sites, the company has added UNICEF to its donate-at-checkout option powered by ChangeUp to encourage its communities to support the relief efforts.

Supermarkets

• Ahold Delhaize said it is working globally and locally to support humanitarian relief efforts. The company will donate 1 million Euros to the Red Cross to provide humanitarian relief on the ground in Ukraine and in neighboring countries to support people fleeing escalating violence. Additionally, the company said its local brands in Romania and the Czech Republic are offering emergency aid and assistance on the ground, by providing food and products to refugee centers, financial contributions and in-kind support to local charities, and support to associate and customers initiatives to help Ukrainian civilians.
• Kroger said it will send emergency food assistance to refugees through a monetary grant from its Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation, a charity the company started in 2018. The grant will be given to the United Nations World Food Program's Ukraine Emergency Fund. Kroger also announced it will match all gifts made by its associates and customers, up to $250,000, according to Winsight Grocer Business report.
• Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash said it has committed to donating to the people of Ukraine more than $1 million worth of food and supplies. SpartanNash, which includes a military division, will export food and supplies via its global supply chain network and will work with Convoy of Hope, an American nonprofit humanitarian and disaster relief organization, to get the necessities in the hands of refugees across eastern Europe. The company also announced an immediate cash donation of $25,000 to Convoy of Hope, which will provide 7,500 additional meals to families in need.
• Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie grocery stores, Fresco y Mas and Harveys Supermarket, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, shared that it has made a donation of $250,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross to support Ukraine and its citizens. SEG said it also plans to donate 100% of the proceeds from its private-label Ukrainian vodka to “the cause for the next 31 days as a nod to Ukraine’s official declaration of independence nearly 31 years ago.”

• Publix is launching a register donation program allowing customers and associates to help people affected by the Ukraine crisis. Donations can be made in any amount by adding them to grocery totals when checking out at the register. One hundred percent of the funds donated will go toward the global Red Cross effort to provide humanitarian aid to people affected by the Ukraine crisis. Donations will be used to distribute food, deliver medicine and medical supplies, assist with evacuations and help with providing shelter. The end date for the program will be determined based on customer response, the company said.

Pharmacy organizations

• The American Pharmacists Association is working with the International Pharmaceutical Federation and its international colleagues to support Ukraine. The organization is providing financial support to address the humanitarian and healthcare needs for Ukrainian citizens, and encourages those able to provide financial and other support to help pharmacy teams meet the healthcare and humanitarian needs of impacted Ukrainian citizens.

This article has been updated since its publishing date.