United States Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Pamela L. Spratlen today announced the arrival from the U.S. to Uzbekistan of a humanitarian shipment of the cancer medication Temodar, which is used to treat brain tumors in adults.
The medicine, valued at US$2.9 million, was donated by Merck Sharp & Dohme, a U.S. pharmaceutical company based in Kenilworth, New Jersey. Project HOPE, an international health care organization founded in the United States, transported the pharmaceuticals from the U.S. to Uzbekistan at no charge.
First Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Baxodir Yusupaliyev and Project HOPE Senior Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia, Dr. Mariam Sianozova, joined Ambassador Spratlen at the a hand-over ceremony in Tashkent.
“Today’s medication delivery is the result of successful coordination and cooperation among the Government of Uzbekistan, private industry, and a United States Agency for international Development (USAID) partner organization, all working together to improve the health and well-being of Uzbek citizens,” Ambassador Spratlen noted in her remarks.
Since 1992, USAID has provided more than US$356 million in assistance to Uzbekistan. Since 1991, Project Hope has delivered US$106 million worth of lifesaving medication and medical supplies donated by American pharmaceutical and medical organizations.