Mundipharma, a network of independent associated companies consists of privately owned companies and joint ventures covering the world's pharmaceutical markets, has partnered with Direct Relief to donate supplies of its Betadine range of anti-virals to support the aid organisation’s efforts to contain the current outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. With the partnership, Mundipharma will provide more than two million anti-viral hand washes to the Ebola treatment centres of West Africa.

The Ebola outbreak has killed more than 1,000 people, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a worldwide public health concern. This outbreak has spread rapidly through human-to-human transmission causing wide spread concern globally.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Ebola virus is frequently found in saliva with evidence stating that close face-to-face contact without adequate personal protective equipment (including eye protection) puts others at moderate risk of acquiring the disease. Those at higher risk of infection include health workers, family members in close contact with infected people and mourners who have direct contact with the bodies of the deceased as part of burial ceremonies.

One of the possible reasons the virus has spread so rapidly in West Africa is due to the insufficient level of healthcare. The best way to reduce the possibility of contracting the disease is to practice proper hygiene.  According to World Health Organisation guidelines, hand hygiene is the most important infection prevention and control measure.

Raman Singh, president, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa, commented: “Mundipharma is committed to support the international aid efforts against Ebola.  We hope that our proactive approach will enable Direct Relief to continue to quickly and efficiently provide important preventative measures in limiting the outbreak of this serious and growing health issue.

“The donation of Betadine is wholly consistent with our mission and commitment to improving the health and quality of life of the human race everywhere, even in the most extreme circumstances such as these and emphasises our focus on caring for those most in need.  Betadine® has been used and trusted as an antiseptic for more than 50 years, multiple publications of Betadine and its general virucidal activity exist which is why we believe the Betadine® range can play an important role in the fight against the spread of Ebola.”

“We are very pleased to partner with Mundipharma to continue our relentless efforts to combat Ebola at this crucial time.  Minimising the further spread of the virus is a fundamental step in our fight against Ebola and providing aid workers, healthcare professionals and the general population with a means to implement proper hand hygiene via Mundipharma’s donations will play an important role in our task,” said Thomas Tighe, chief executive officer of Direct Relief.

The supplies of Betadine surgical scrub and Betadine scalp & skin cleanser donated by Mundipharma are medicated soaps containing povidone iodine, a well-known antiviral, to provide hand disinfection even in areas without access to clean running water.

Betadine has demonstrated strong efficacy against enveloped viruses and sufficient efficacy against non-enveloped viruses and its use to contain the spread of Ebola has already been endorsed by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.

The donation is one of a number of initiatives currently being implemented by Mundipharma employees globally in a proactive drive to address the rising medical needs of Ebola patients.

Direct Relief is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides medical assistance to people around the world who have been affected by poverty, natural disasters, and civil unrest.