Attn: News/City Editors
January 5, 2005
For Immediate Release

Canadian Pharma Company Sets Bar For Company Donating For Tsunami Relief Efforts

TORONTO, ONTARIO – Apotex Inc., the largest Canadian-owned pharmaceutical company is assisting in the Tsunami Relief efforts in two clear ways.

First, it has stated to its over 5,300 employees that it will match any cash donated by employees dollar for dollar to the Canadian Red Cross. “I challenge all pharmaceutical companies in Canada to do the same for cash donations”, stated President, Jack Kay. Secondly, it has partnered with World Vision to ship needed medicines to the area. The first shipment is scheduled to leave today at 9:00 PM and has an approximate value of $300,000. The company will be monitoring the situation closely to see what other medicines are required. 

With an Apotex work force from over 80 different countries, including many directly impacted, “it was the right thing for us to help out”, concluded Mr. Kay.

The privately-owned Canadian Apotex Group is one of the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world, manufacturing more than 240 affordable medicines for export to 115 countries. Its state-of-the-art facilities of over 3,300,000 sq. ft. in Toronto have a capacity to manufacture over 12 billion tablets and capsules a year. The Apotex Group is planning to invest more than $1 billion in research and development over the next 10 years.

-30-

For further information:

Mr. Elie Betito
Director Public & Government Affairs
Tel: 416-749-9300 Ext. 7366
Cell: 416) 558-5491
ebetito@apotex.com