Faith-based Partnership with the Pharmaceutical Industry Why are some FBOs comfortable and others uneasy with such partnerships? Daniel Aukerman IMA World Health

IMA World Health History 1960: pharmaceutical companies donating products to church missions overseas requested one central location Hence, long-standing relationship Different world today –Many useful, branded drugs off patent –High quality, generics available abroad –Agencies view IMA as a vendor

Pharmaceutical International Health Interests Today: Impressions Greater savvy about development Ownership of initiatives –Less “use our medicines as you see fit” Always aware of public image Prefer to donate products that have a clear fit into existing programs Look for significant, large, national level impact

Pfizer: Diflucan Partnership Program 59 countries in Africa, Asia and Caribbean participating Over 350,000 patients treated for two HIV- related fungal opportunistic infections, $570m in medicines donated IMA World Health as Charity Trust

Merck: Mectizan Donation Program Active Programs in 33 hyper-endemic countries More than 60 million people treated annually Close to 500 million treatments since 1987 More than 1.8 billion tablets donated Prevents ~40,000 causes of blindness annually Has contributed to the recovery of more than 60 million acres of previously abandoned arable land IMA World Health as NGDO partner

Why be uncomfortable? Secular, for profit vs faith-based, nonprofit Corporate sector has been criticized for negative effects on health systems for the sake of profit - ?guilt by association? Is corporate philanthropy genuine or is the focus on public image - ?PR assistance? Advocacy/Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network critical of corporate partners - ?compromised solidarity?

Why Be Comfortable? Companies may be more willing to fund faith-based healthcare efforts. Corporate funding less regulated than government – flexibility in programming. Excellent, caring people within corporations who want their for-profits to also serve. Not a perfect world – get help for those in need wherever we can find it.

Principled FBO – Corporate Partnership Remain true to your own beliefs –Faith, focus on poor, development orientation Recognize your own worth – add value Appreciate the benevolence of a corporate donor without condoning all aspects of business operations in other arenas Affirm whole heartedly the partnership endeavor.