MUMBAI: Abbott, India’s leading pharmaceutical company is a diverse global health care company with scientific expertise and products that address the full range of people’s health care needs –from disease prevention and diagnosis to treatment and cure.

Abbott India, with more than 100 years of operations in India, has invested more than Rs.61 crore in grants, donations and social innovation projects in India, impacting the lives of more than 15 lakh Indians. The company is offering employment to more than 12,000 people in its two manufacturing facilities and two R&D centres in the country.

The company release ‘Redefining Responsibility’ Citizenship Report 2011 for India. The report reflects the company’s approach to citizenship in India. Working beyond philanthropy, Abbott applies its science, expertise and technology to address critical health care needs through innovative partnerships with governments, health care professionals and NGOs.

According to Vivek Mohan, managing director, “This report address Abbott’s commitment to being a good citizen and contributor to the future growth of India. Abbott is working to build sustainable solutions to enhancing access and other pressing health care challenges, while reducing our impact on the environment and creating lasting value for stakeholders. Building on our significant outreach in 2011, Abbott plans to expand its efforts in India to deliver even stronger benefit for the people it serve in 2012. It is planning to reach 10 lakh patients through thyroid and diabetes camps next year.”

The citizenship report provides details of Abbott’s initiatives across four priority areas, viz., innovating for the future, protecting patients and consumers, enhancing access, and safeguarding the environment. In enhancing health care access, the company entered into partnership with PATH worth Rs.7.6 crore to advance a cost-effective strategy to fortify rice to address micronutrient malnutrition.

By sharing Abbott expertise in science, quality and manufacturing to advance fortified rice production, the programme aims to initially benefit 5 lakh people through public sector food distribution programmes. The company supported 93 projects with Lifeline Express, a mobile diagnosis and treatment train, to provide access to medical services and treatment for 4 lakh Indians in rural areas that otherwise have limited access to hospitals and qualified health care workers.

The company worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Women and Child Development to advance the safety and quality standards pertaining to Food Laws. The company developed and launched valance solution, a flavoured syrup-based preparation of Divalproex for epilepsy patients who cannot take tablets.