New Jersey’s Biopharmaceutical Field’s Contributions to the Economy

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the contributions of the biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies in New Jersey to Hurricane Sandy relief activities.

New Jersey companies in the biopharmaceutical field have donated an estimated $11.1 million towards Sandy relief efforts. The New Jersey biopharmaceutical and medical technology companies made contributions to a large number of organizations, including the American Red Cross, AmeriCares, Direct Relief International, Feeding America, the Salvation Army, Save the Children, United Way, and the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

The community also coordinated with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain for critical life-saving drugs, as well as teamed with local pharmacies to provide free or discounted prescriptions to affected patients.

In addition, individual companies performed a variety of services in the immediate aftermath of Sandy, including:

•  the distribution of hygiene kits;

• providing generators to local municipalities;

• deploying emergency decontamination units;

• preparing food for first responders;

• working to supply hospitals, pharmacies and retailers with supplies that their patients and customers needed;

• and offering a paid day of service for employees who wished to volunteer.

While our community as a whole came together to provide relief to victims of Sandy, I am pleased to hear of the contributions made by the biopharmaceutical community of New Jersey.