Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life. Bristol-Myers Squibb is the world's number one provider of cancer therapies, and a leader in the discovery and development of medicines to treat cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The company is also a leader in providing treatments for infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and for disorders of the central nervous system. The company's largest markets are in the U.S., France, Japan, Germany, Italy, and Canada.
Bristol-Myers Squibb launched its "Secure the Future" initiative in May 1999, a commitment to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in five southern African countries. In 2001, the Company committed additional funding through the initiative for four West African countries. The "Secure the Future" initiative provides grants to support medical research focusing on women and children and provides hard-hit areas with resources to improve community education and patient support. Bristol-Myers Squibb also participates in the UN/Industry Accelerating Access Initiative through the offer of its HIV/AIDS drugs at below cost to all sub-Saharan African countries.
SECURE THE FUTURETM is a five-year, $100 million commitment by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company -- in partnership with the African nations of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland -- to find sustainable and relevant solutions for the management of HIV/AIDS in women and children, and provide resources to improve community education and patient support.
On March 14, 2001, Bristol-Myers Squibb pledged an additional $15 million for four countries in western Africa: Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso.
SECURE THE FUTURE in western Africa will be developed in partnership with these countries, leveraging promising programs funded in southern Africa and helping the four countries to find customized, innovative and sustainable solutions. This effort raises the total SECURE THE FUTURE commitment to $115 million. The first Technical Advisory Committee meeting -- which brought together country representatives and international experts to define governance structure, program elements and eligibility criteria -- was held in Dakar, Senegal, on June 16, 2001
Highlights of Company's Four-Point Program to Fight HIV/AIDS In Africa: