PRESS RELEASE

Monday, November 9, 2009

In response to the appeal of the Government of Ukraine for humanitarian medical assistance following the outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) epidemic in certain western regions of Ukraine, and taking into account the close and friendly relations between the two countries, the Government of India has decided to urgently donate medicines worth one million US dollars to Ukraine.

The Embassy of India is in touch with the relevant authorities of the Government of Ukraine in this regard. As soon as the details of the specific medicines that Ukraine would like to receive from the Indian government are finalized, arrangements would be made to rush the supplies to Ukraine.

The humanitarian medical assistance extended by the Government of India would be in addition to the significant donation of medicines being made separately by Indian pharmaceutical companies that have operations in Ukraine. These Indian companies, which are among the largest suppliers of medicines to the Ukrainian market, have come forward on their own to help Ukraine battle the current influenza epidemic.