Teva and Direct Relief Donate $3 million in Contraceptives for Uninsured Women

Under Economic Strain, More Women Rely on Community Health Centers for their Daily Health Needs

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to provide better care to uninsured women across the country, Teva Pharmaceuticals has provided Direct Relief USA with a donation of women's health products valued at $3 million (wholesale). The donation of 5,000 units of ParaGard®, an intrauterine copper contraceptive, will be distributed by Direct Relief to the network of clinic and health centers across the United States that are treating low-income people.  ParaGard® is approved by the FDA for intrauterine contraception for up to 10 years.  ParaGard® is a hormone-free and highly effective Long Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC). 

Dr. Monir Shalaby, Medical Director of EXCELth Family Health Center in New Orleans, LA, which received donated ParaGard®, said, "Many of our clients desire effective family planning methods but due to economic burdens are unable to afford contraception. Having this resource will greatly improve our ability to deliver holistic care and will enable patients to implement effective family planning."

Direct Relief provides charitable donations of medications and supplies to an extensive network of nonprofit health clinics throughout the U.S. that provide care to uninsured patients regardless of their ability to pay.  "The ongoing support of Teva and other healthcare companies enables Direct Relief to provide needed medications and supplies for people who may otherwise go without," said Damon Taugher, Director of Direct Relief USA.

In 2011, Direct Relief USA provided 4,673 shipments of medicines and medical supplies to 1,102 healthcare facilities across all 50 states.  The support, valued at over $53 million (wholesale), comes at a critical time when millions of people are finding increasingly difficult to pay for their medicines.  Direct Relief is Verified-Accredited Wholesale Distributors (VAWD) accredited and is the only non-profit licensed to distribute medications to all 50 United States.  

Teva Pharmaceuticals has supported Direct Relief's humanitarian health programs since 1996.  In 2009, the company provided a donation of 500,000 ProAir® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol fast-relief albuterol-metered dose inhalers to ensure patients had access to inhalers in time for the Environmental Protection Agency/Food Drug Administration-mandated switch to HFA albuterol inhalers. Teva Pharmaceuticals was one of the largest contributors to Direct Relief's emergency response activities in Haiti. The company donated medications valued at more than $33 million (wholesale) for health facilities devastated by the earthquake and continues to support ongoing work in Haiti.

About Direct Relief International 
Direct Relief International is a leading medical relief organization, active in all 50 states and 70 countries. It works with more than 1,000 health clinics across the U.S. to assist in emergencies and an ongoing basis, providing them with free medications for people in need. Direct Relief is among the largest medical suppliers to Haiti in response to the 2010 earthquake, has top charity ratings, including four-star and "top notch" rating from Charity Navigator, and a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes magazine. 

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Kerri Murray, Communications Manager
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SOURCE Direct Relief International