Merck, Pfizer, and Eli Lilly to Launch Medical Service Volunteer Programs for Company Employees

On April 1, 2020, Merck & Co., Pfizer, and Eli Lilly announced they are launching medical service volunteer programs to allow their employees who are licensed medical professionals to help fight against COVID-19 while maintaining their base pay.

According to a Pfizer press release, the company’s efforts include the following:

• Merck will collaborate with The Health Management Academy, a learning and leadership development organization located in Arlington, VA, to identify facilities with a need for additional staff and will send its qualifying volunteers to serve.

• Pfizer created a Global COVID-19 Medical Service Program that will work to provide diagnostic, treatment, and public health support to facilities in need while providing its volunteers with full pay and benefits.

• Lilly will send its volunteers to staff a free drive-through COVID-19 testing facility at its corporate headquarters in Indianapolis, IN. The company’s scientists will use specialized research laboratories to analyze the tests.

“COVID-19 is one of the greatest challenges the global community will ever face, and our heroic health care professionals are, unquestionably, on the front-lines of that fight,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and CEO, Merck, in the press release. “We are enormously grateful to them all, and it is our honor to be able to support our own employee volunteers who are joining them in caring for patients and communities affected by this pandemic.”

“At Pfizer, we employ some of the most dedicated and passionate medical professionals who have devoted their lives to combating disease and helping patients,” said Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO, Pfizer, in the press release. “During this unprecedented global health challenge, we are pursuing every option within Pfizer and with external partners to help fight COVID-19. We believe that by unleashing our medical professionals to help relieve some of the burden being felt by hospitals, we can help make a real and important difference. We support their wish to serve in this way and are grateful for their courage and selflessness.”

“Right now, the purpose of our industry has never been more clear and vital-to bring the full force of our scientific and medical expertise to attack this pandemic around the world,” added David A. Ricks, chairman and CEO, Lilly, in the press release. “We’re honored to join our industry partners in deploying our expert workforce to help fight the virus, and our medical professionals stand ready to volunteer. We’re working together-and with partners around the world-to help our communities weather this storm and come back even stronger.”

Source: Pfizer