Lilly and Lilly Foundation Provide Support for People in Ukraine

Note: This page provides updates, when available, on Lilly’s response in Ukraine and our business operations in the region.

February 24, 2023

A Year Later, Support Continues  

Over the last year, Lilly, our affiliates, and 38,000 employees worldwide, along with the Lilly Foundation*, have stood with Ukraine, contributing in several ways to help ease the human suffering caused by this devastating conflict.  

To date, Lilly and our global affiliates have provided more than $23 million in Lilly diabetes and cancer products as well as Covid-19 therapies to Direct Relief and Project HOPE to support their efforts to assist patients in Ukraine. Products are valued at applicable wholesale acquisition costs (WAC). 

Additionally, the Lilly Foundation has facilitated more than $790,000 to nonprofit organizations Americares, Direct Relief and Project HOPE to support their humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. This amount includes direct Foundation grants, along with generous gifts from Lilly employees whose contributions were matched 1:1 by the Foundation.  

We will continue to identify opportunities to go beyond our business to meet the needs of people in Ukraine and support those affected by other disasters and other humanitarian crises.  

June 27, 2022

Medicines Help Ensure Treatment Continuity for Patients in Ukraine

Lilly’s supply of medicines, including more than two million doses of diabetes and cancer products, have made their way to hospitals and patients in Ukraine via our humanitarian partners. The most significant supply of medicines includes insulins with more than 117,000 vials and pens delivered thanks to Direct Relief and Project HOPE. A supply of Lilly’s COVID-19 therapies is in route to Ukraine and two additional supplies of diabetes and cancer products are in process with Direct Relief. Lilly continues to monitor the situation and to do what we can to contribute to the health and wellbeing of people in Ukraine during this ongoing and devastating crisis.

April 8, 2022

Lilly Medicines Arrive in Ukraine

An initial shipment of medicine provided by Lilly has arrived in Ukraine thanks to the tremendous efforts of our partners. The first shipment delivered is medicine to treat diabetes.

We are grateful for Project HOPE and Direct Relief whose teams are working under the most difficult and life-threatening conditions to identify quantities, safe routes and trusted transportation to healthcare providers and patients in Ukraine. This mission is further complicated by a complex supply chain process due to cold chain requirements for some medicines.

As the need for these essential medications continues, Lilly will provide additional deliveries of medicines, including cancer treatments and a COVID-19 treatment, to help people in Ukraine and in neighboring countries. While we continue to hope for peace, we are prepared to respond even further to help ease the human suffering caused by this devastating crisis.

March 15, 2022

Lilly Shifts Business Focus in Russia

For nearly 150 years, Lilly has worked to ensure patients have access to the medicines they need, no matter where they may live. We have an ethical and moral obligation to help alleviate human suffering and to protect the lives of patients. Lilly is deeply concerned with the tragic loss of innocent lives in Ukraine – and recognizes the challenges people are facing with access to essential medications like insulin.

We have taken several actions in response to the crisis in Ukraine. In addition to our donations of lifesaving medicine and the Lilly Foundation’s philanthropic commitment announced on March 3, Lilly has been focused on the safety of our employees in Ukraine.

We also have suspended all investments, promotional activities, and new clinical trials in Russia, as well as the exportation of non-essential medicines to that country. Our Russian operations are now only focused on ensuring people suffering from diseases like cancer and diabetes continue to get the Lilly medicines they need. Should we generate any profits from our sales in Russia, we will donate them to organizations dedicated to humanitarian relief.

We hope for an immediate end to the hostilities and a resolution to this crisis as soon as possible.

March 3, 2022

Company provides insulin, COVID-19 treatments; Foundation gives $500K plus employee match to charities active in region

During humanitarian crises, Lilly and our employees, along with the Lilly Foundation*, feel compelled to respond – to do what we can to make life better for people around the world.

The tragic situation in Ukraine has impacted Lilly employees and patients who rely on our life-saving medicines. To support them, we are taking action.

Safety of Our Employees

Our Lilly colleagues in Ukraine are accounted for and safe at this time. We are in regular contact with them and will continue to provide support. Our priority continues to be their safety and wellbeing.

Access to Our Medicines

Lilly is donating $7.5 million of insulin to Project HOPE, a U.S. nonprofit organization that empowers health care workers facing the world’s greatest health crises to build resilient communities and a healthier, more equitable world. Project HOPE is currently on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries and is actively shipping essential medicines and medical supplies to assist Ukrainians.

Lilly is also facilitating a $1.8 million supply of baricitinib, used to treat complications of COVID-19, to Direct Relief, a U.S. nonprofit organization that specializes in mobilizing essential medicines, supplies, and equipment, along with other critical emergency relief efforts. Direct Relief is actively working to mobilize emergency aid for people in the region.  

Support for Relief Organizations  

The Lilly Foundation is also making two equal monetary contributions totaling $500,000 to Direct Relief and to Americares to support their respective relief efforts in the region.

Americares is currently working to deliver aid for families facing crisis in Ukraine. They are collaborating closely with the World Health Organization, regional health authorities, and international, national and local response organizations in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

The Lilly Foundation will also match eligible Lilly employee donations to all three organizations up to an additional $500,000.

We hope for an immediate end to the hostilities and a peaceful resolution to this crisis as soon as possible. 

*The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Inc. is a separate, tax-exempt organization.