Emergent BioSolutions teams up with Philadelphia Phillies & MAPDA to highlight importance of overdose reversal medicines on International Overdose Awareness Day
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Aug. 31, 2020 – Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE: EBS) today announced that it is teaming up with the Philadelphia Phillies and Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse (MAPDA) to highlight the importance of potentially lifesaving overdose reversal medicines on International Overdose Awareness Day 2020. International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31 each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths. Emergent, in collaboration with this team and MAPDA, will address the importance of accessing overdose reversal medicines through special announcements, videos, and stadium presentations at that night’s 7:05 p.m. Phillies game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.
The evening will also feature a ceremonial first pitch by James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr., a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the ninth Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2011 to 2015. Admiral Winnefeld and his wife, Mary, co-founded SAFE Project, a national non-profit dedicated to ending the nation’s addiction epidemic after the loss of their son to an accidental overdose. Admiral Winnefeld will be wearing his son’s high school baseball jersey when making the ceremonial pitch.
“Emergent is committed to doing everything we can to increase awareness, access, and availability of potentially lifesaving overdose reversal medicines,” said Doug White, SVP and devices business unit head at Emergent BioSolutions. “We are proud to team up with the Philadelphia Phillies and MAPDA on International Overdose Awareness Day to highlight the important role that overdose reversal medicines play in preparing individuals and families in the event of an accidental opioid overdose. Everyone can take a stand and take action by talking to their doctor or pharmacists about having immediate access to overdose reversal medicines.”
“It’s unfathomable that 130 people are dying each day – more than five every hour – due to opioid related overdoses,” said David Buck, Phillies Executive Vice President. “Along with Emergent BioSolutions and Mothers Against Prescription Drug Abuse, we hope to shed light on this very important cause and let those know who are suffering from opioid addiction that there is hope and support available.”
“By increasing awareness about the importance of having immediate access to overdose reversal medicines, we may empower individuals to be prepared in the event of an opioid overdose emergency,” said Mary Bono, former U.S. Congresswoman and chairman and CEO of MAPDA. “MAPDA is honored to stand alongside Emergent and the Philadelphia Phillies to help more individuals know about and access potentially lifesaving medicines to treat opioid overdoses.”
For more information about the partnership, visit: www.cutoutoverdoses.com.