Johnson & Johnson Donates Over RMB 20 Million in Critical Medical Protective Supplies to Support China's COVID-19 Response

Shanghai, February 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Currently, the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic has entered a critical stage. Medical protective supplies are crucial for safeguarding the health and lives of healthcare workers. As a global leader in healthcare, Johnson & Johnson has mobilized its worldwide resources, coordinated efforts, and expedited processes to urgently procure and transport a batch of essential medical protective supplies through its global procurement and logistics networks. These supplies include one million protective masks, 100,000 sets of protective clothing, and 100,000 pairs of goggles, with a total value exceeding RMB 20 million. These medical protective materials will be shipped from the United States to China in batches and donated through the Chinese Red Cross Foundation to designated hospitals in multiple provinces and cities, including Hubei, Zhejiang, and Guangdong, that are at the forefront of epidemic prevention and control. This initiative aims to provide strong support for frontline healthcare workers in treating patients and controlling the outbreak, thereby demonstrating the company’s commitment to its vision of “bringing meaningful change to the development of human health.”

On February 15, the first batch of the aforementioned medical protective supplies donated by Johnson & Johnson was cleared through customs in Shanghai and rushed to Hubei Province. With the assistance of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), 230,000 high-quality protective masks, 30,000 sets of protective suits, and 30,000 goggles will be swiftly delivered to 18 designated hospitals in Hubei Province, safeguarding frontline medical personnel in their fight against the epidemic.

Song Weiqun, Chairman of Johnson & Johnson China, stated, “The Chinese government is making every effort to control the epidemic and safeguard people’s lives and health. Johnson & Johnson fully supports the government’s epidemic prevention and control efforts. Leveraging our professional expertise, we have ensured the stable production of healthcare products in China and were among the first foreign enterprises to provide cash and product donations to support the fight against the epidemic. Recently, the company actively leveraged its global network and resources to rapidly transport large quantities of medical protective supplies, delivering them without delay to frontline hospitals in hard-hit areas such as Hubei Province. Furthermore, we extend our highest respect to the vast number of healthcare workers fighting on the frontlines, and we look forward to working together with all sectors of society to achieve victory in the battle against the epidemic at the earliest possible date.”

Following Johnson & Johnson China’s initial donation of RMB 1 million to the Chinese Red Cross Foundation on January 23 for the procurement of N95 masks urgently needed by frontline medical personnel in Wuhan, its subsidiary, Johnson & Johnson Medical (China) Ltd., donated medical equipment and supplies valued at RMB 650,000 to the Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, then under construction, on January 27 to support local healthcare workers in treating patients. In early February, Johnson & Johnson donated consumer products worth a total of RMB 140,000 to Wuhan, including 48,000 bottles of BAND-AID® antibacterial hand sanitizer sourced globally to help residents in local street communities with disinfection and epidemic prevention, as well as daily necessities such as LISTERINE® mouthwash donated to medical teams from Zhejiang, Chongqing, and other regions. Additionally, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical subsidiary based in Xi’an, donated antiviral medications valued at approximately RMB 500,000 for laboratory drug screening and clinical experimental treatment, along with antipyretic and antidepressant medications valued at RMB 1 million.

In addition to donating funds and supplies, Johnson & Johnson has fully leveraged its expertise in research platforms and existing technologies within the public health sector to develop candidate vaccines against the novel coronavirus. By extensively collaborating with multiple stakeholders to screen laboratory-based antiviral therapies and identify compounds with antiviral activity against 2019-nCoV, the company aims to provide timely support for current epidemic prevention and control efforts.

Amid the ongoing epidemic, Johnson & Johnson is racing against time, working in unity to overcome these challenging times. Harnessing the collective strength of its 140,000 employees worldwide and guided by its Credo, the company is fully committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of people in China and around the globe, continuously contributing to the advancement of healthcare, and supporting China’s efforts to win the battle against epidemic prevention and control.