More than 9 million doses of therapy transported from Las Vegas Dispensing Pharmacy
AKRON, Ohio - January 18, 2005 - Roadway Express partnered with Medco Health Solutions Inc.'s Las Vegas Dispensing Pharmacy to transport the first pallets of critically needed generic medicines in the global humanitarian relief effort for victims of the earthquake and tsunami that swept across Asia and the east coast of Africa.
More than 9 million doses, approximately 18 pallets, were shipped via a 48-foot trailer donated by Roadway Express from the Las Vegas pharmacy to AmeriCares, a Stamford, Conn.-based non-profit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization. Since 1982, AmeriCares has delivered more than $4 billion of medical relief supplies to more than 137 countries.
"The need for medicines is critical in the nations devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. We hope that our small part in this worldwide relief effort helps as many people as possible," said Bob Stull, president of Roadway Express.
The donation from Medco's Las Vegas pharmacy was part of the company's commitment to shuttle about 13 million doses of generic medicines to disaster victims.
Medco identified within its pharmacy inventories the medicines highlighted as "most in need" by AmeriCares and donated 20 different generic medicines, including antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, diabetes and gastrointestinal products.
Medicines from Medco's mail-order pharmacies in Nevada, as well as New Jersey and Ohio, were delivered to AmeriCares and are being used in upcoming airlifts.