Lilly suspends Russia investments, will continue sale of essential drugs

This post was originally published on this site

The company said it has also suspended promotional activities and export of non-essential medicines to Russia, without naming these drugs.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request asking for details on the non-essential drugs.

Any profit from continued sales in Russia will be donated to organizations dedicated to humanitarian relief, Lilly said.

Global companies have been under pressure to pull back operations from Russia but drugmakers and medical device makers have argued they have a responsibility under international humanitarian law to continue supplying medicines to the country.

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) and Germany’s Bayer (OTC:BAYRY) said on Monday they would maintain a humanitarian supply of medicines to Russia, but would pull back from other non-essential spending.

Medical devices and diagnostic test maker Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) late on Monday said it has suspended non-essential business activity in Russia, including all new investments, business development and advertising.

Other companies including banks JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE:GS) have recently said they plan to pull back their businesses in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, which Russia describes as a “special operation”.