“CSR Activities of Pharmaceuticals Companies in Bangladesh for COVID-19 Affected People”

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is currently growing rapidly and the

number of patients infected with this virus is increasing significantly. Now it has
become a worldwide public health concern. As a result, the global health, economic
and social impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are growing day by day.
Over the past two years, starting from China and now the whole world, it has had an
impact on healthcare, business, employment, the community and so on. So, in such
catastrophic time each and every one from everywhere is committed to work and
support each other. UNICEF has stated that, “There is choice. The world of the next
10 years can be one of greater justice, abundance and Dignity. Or it can be one of
conflict, insecurity and poverty.” As each and every individual is committed to work
and support each other in this critical period, so, business communities like
pharmaceuticals organizations (Square, Beximco, ACI etc.) are not exceptional. They
have taken various initiatives to assist their worker, customers, and communities amid
this emergency period through the broadened CSR activities. Basically, organizations
aim of being socially accountable by striving positive contribution through
economically, socially, ethically and some philanthropic expectations. Now, the
primary urgency is the health and the safety of human beings and support the most
vulnerable people so that they can survive in every way possible. In this regard, CSR is
treated as an excellent tool for accomplishing sustainable development for the
families, customers, communities and so on. So, Pharmaceuticals organization of
Bangladesh (Beximco, Square, ACI, Renata, Novartis and many more) are striving to
deliver copious benefits that can fuel the individuals to survive during this COVID-19
pandemic period.

As CSR is a continuing commitment by the business to behave ethically and

contribute to social economic development, so, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (SPL) is
proud to be involved actively during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To
battle against widespread coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, in order to reduce the
number of contaminated specialists and medical caretakers in Bangladesh, SPL
amplified its hands of co-operation by providing Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) through Directorate General of Drug Administrator under the Ministry of Health
& Family Welfare and essential medicines through Directorate General of Medicine
Service under the Ministry of Defense, Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
 “CSR Activities of Pharmaceuticals Companies in Bangladesh for COVID-19 Affected People”

Providing PPE to Fight Against Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

On the other hand, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BPL) has taken enormous
initiatives to combat coronavirus (COVID-19) disease. During this pandemic situation,
BPL has funded the icddr,b’s Double-blind, Placebo Controlled Clinical Study which
aims to cure form COVID-19 (iccdr,b). They have found Ivermectin, which is an anti-
parasitic medicine and it is usually used for parasitic infection, which has the
potentiality to cure from COVID-19. This study brought positive outcomes and
promising result within two months to those patients who were admitted Kurmitola
General Hospital and Mughda Hostpital. This results have published in a press
release, conducted by icddr,b. Even, International Journal of Infectious Diseases (IJID)
revealed a statement in their web site that “A five-day course of Ivermectin for the
treatment of COVID-19 reduce the duration of illness.”

BPL is the first and primary manufacturer “Remdisivir” in the Bangladeshi market and
they are supplying for free in govt. hospitals ((Dhaka Tribune).) This medicine is not
available in the retail pharmacies in Bangladesh. Even this medicine is effective for
COVID-19 patients to treat new strains of influenza in Japan (The Guardian).
However, BPL is also distributing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), other
medicines and test kits to healthcare professionals. In the first phase they have
provided PPE in two testing centers and in the second phase they have provided it
nationwide to more than 150 leading hospitals, which net worth is 15 core BDT.

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 “CSR Activities of Pharmaceuticals Companies in Bangladesh for COVID-19 Affected People”

REMDISIVIR/BEMSIVIR

At such catastrophic time when other developing countries of the world are trying to
get vaccine, BPL has entered into a MoU with Serum Institute of India (SII) for the
supply and distribution of 30 million doses of AstraZeneca SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (The
Daily Star). Govt. of Bangladesh paid SII for those amounts of vaccines and BPL has
received a separate fee for distribution. However, among those 30 million, 5 million
vaccines were distributed among the people.

BPL has donated a number of Negative Pressure Isolation Canopies to Bangabandhu

Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) which cover the patient on a hospital bed,
especially in ICU and protect others form getting infected. Even employees of BPL
were humble to human kind by giving one day’s compensation who were enduring
due to circumstances risen from COVID-19.

Negative Pressure Isolation Canopies

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 “CSR Activities of Pharmaceuticals Companies in Bangladesh for COVID-19 Affected People”

In addition to the aforementioned pharmaceuticals organizations, some other

organizations are also striving their best to play role by doing CSR activities in the
current epidemic. ACI Pharmaceuticals have introduced and donated Hexisol and
clean-gel along with Rivaban, Remcor and Veratin to the COVID dedicated hospitals
such as, Mughda Hospital, Dhaka Medical College which had the commendable
acceptance by the medical profession for the COVID-19 treatment. Novartis
Bangladesh has donated 28000 units of PPE, Medical gown, Masks and Protective
goggles to Swiss Red Cross Bangladesh for the use of professional health care. In
addition, a moderate number of pharmaceutical organizations such as, Renata,
Eskayef, Navana Pharmaceuticals and many more have raised relief fund which have
been handed over to Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as grants to help poor
people.

However, the people worldwide are living through an unexpected situation

with fear and uncertainties. No one was ready for it. The whole world is fighting with
the invisible enemies which completely shut down the world. Pharmaceuticals
organizations has been no exception. Bangladeshi pharmaceuticals organizations have
taken a foot forward through some CSR activities which have above mentioned. They
are trying to put some splashes of water in the desert of disheartfulness. At this time
every pharmaceuticals organizations should look for social benefits and the welfare of
stakeholders. Probably that will help everyone for the long run.

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 “CSR Activities of Pharmaceuticals Companies in Bangladesh for COVID-19 Affected People”

References:
I. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/no-one-safe-until-everyone-safe-why-we-
need-global-response-covid-19
II. https://www.squarepharma.com.bd/corporate-social-responsibility.php
III. https://www.icddrb.org/quick-links/press-releases?id=99&task=view
IV. https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(20)32506-6/fulltext
V. https://www.dhakatribune.com/health/coronavirus/2020/05/21/beximco-to-
distribute-remdesivir-for-free-at-govt-hospitals
VI. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/18/japanese-flu-drug-clearly-
effective-in-treating-coronavirus-says-china
VII. https://beximcopharma.com/media-gallery/beximco-news/latest-
news/item/652-beximco-group-donate-personal-protective-equipment-to-
healthcare-professionals-in-bangladesh-during-covid-19-pandemic.html
VIII. https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/buying-3cr-vaccine-doses-govt-
signs-deal-indias-sii-beximco-pharma-1990077
IX. https://beximcopharma.com/covid-19.html
X. https://www.aci-bd.com/assets/files/directors-report/directors-report-aci-2019-
2020.pdf
XI. https://www.novartis.com.bd/news/media-releases/novartis-bangladesh-
limited-donated-ppes-healthcare-professionals-combat-covid-0

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