Bristol-Myers Squibb is committed to conscientious citizenship and helping worthwhile causes. This principle is the pillar of an extensive – indeed worldwide – scope of charitable activities.

As part of our mission to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases, Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia supports patient organisations through partnerships, grants and charitable contributions.

Support for Health Consumer Organisations
Health Consumer Organisations (HCOs) are not for profit organisations that represent the interests and needs of health care users or consumers. They may provide, for example, education and support services, advocate for health services and better standards of care and treatment.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia conducts its relationships with HCOs in keeping with the principles set out in the Working Together Guide: A guide to relationships between HCOs and pharmaceutical companies. This Guide was developed jointly by Medicines Australia and the Consumers’ Health Forum of Australia, the national peak organisation for consumers. The Guide is available on the Consumers’ Health Forum website.

In 2011, Bristol-Myers Squibb funded the following HCOs.

Hepatitis Australia
Hepatitis Australia was founded in 1997 as the national community organisation for viral hepatitis within Australia. Its mission is to provide national leadership and advocacy and support partnerships for action to ensure the needs of Australians affected by, or at risk of, viral hepatitis are met. Its members are the eight State and Territory hepatitis organisations, each of which delivers education, prevention programs and provides information and support services to people affected by hepatitis.

In 2011, Bristol-Myers Squibb provided financial support for:

• 2011 World Hepatitis Day activities
• a representative of Hepatitis Australia to participate in a global workshop for patient advocacy groups focused on hepatitis.

Multicultural Health and Support Service (North Richmond Community Health Services)
The Multicultural Health & Support Service (MHSS) is a state-wide program of the North Richmond Community Health Centre. MHSS was established in 2003 to work with and empower culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, individuals and groups to achieve better health outcomes in relation to the diverse, highly complex and culturally sensitive issues relating to blood-borne (BBV) and sexually transmissible infections (STI).

In 2011, Bristol-Myers Squibb provided funding to increase awareness of hepatitis B status in the Chinese and Vietnamese communities through social marketing and community information.

People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria (PLWHA)
PLWHA Victoria is the peak body for people living with HIV, providing education, information and representation for all people living with HIV in the State of Victoria.

In 2011, Bristol-Myers Squibb provided an educational grant to PLWHA Victoria to support two key education and support projects:

• Treatment Interactive Events
• PosLink newsletter

National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA)
NAPWA is the national peak organization representing people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia. Through leadership in advocacy, policy, education and prevention, NAPWA strives to minimize the adverse personal and social effects of HIV/AIDS.

In 2011, Bristol-Myers Squibb provided financial support for the Treataware Project, an information outreach initiative.

Relationships Australia (South Australia)
Relationships Australia (SA) supports families, individuals, communities and workplaces to build skills, strengthen relationships and enhance wellbeing. Relationships Australia provides a service known as PEACE: personal education and community empowerment which supports and assists individuals, families and communities from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to lead balanced and healthy lives.

In 2011, Bristol-Myers Squibb contributed funding towards a community education and marketing campaign across four culturally and linguistically diverse populations in South Australia to improve their access to treatment for hepatitis B and related primary care services.

Melanoma Patients Australia
Melanoma Patients Australia (MPA) is a patient driven organisation dedicated to meeting the needs of melanoma patients, their families, friends and care givers through a national network of support, information and advocacy.

In 2011, Bristol-Myers Squibb provided financial support for:

• representatives of MPA to travel to Canberra for a melanoma awareness function
• redevelopment of the organisation’s website.