(CLAIR) – In a move that significantly benefits Simi Valley residents, Teva Pharmaceuticals, in partnership with two nonprofits, is expanding its donation program of anxiety and depression medications.
Fred Bauermeister, executive director at the Simi Valley Free Clinic, has been a vocal advocate for the initiative since its inception last summer. The program, which includes the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, seeks to improve access to mental health medications for medically underserved patients.
As a key part of this program, Teva has committed $2 million in grant funding to clinics and is also contributing a portfolio of generic medicines valued at over $17 million annually. These resources are being distributed to free clinics and pharmacies nationwide.
Simi Valley’s Free Clinic was among the initial beneficiaries when the program was first launched last year, alongside locations in Florida and New Jersey. With its recent expansion, the initiative can potentially serve over 650,000 uninsured patients via more than 400 clinics. The states included in the expansion were chosen based on the program’s ability to maximize patient impact, taking into consideration unmet needs and the presence of strong partner clinic networks.
Bauermeister noted that Simi Valley has already seen a substantial increase in access to mental health medications due to these donations, resulting in “progress and a sense of hope.”
Teva’s commitment to mental health remains steadfast, according to Sven Dethlefs, Ph.D., executive vice president of North America Commercial at Teva. “We continue to face a mental health crisis across the U.S., and those directly impacted deserve access to treatment,” he said.
As such, Simi Valley residents can anticipate continued support from Teva in addressing these crucial health concerns.
