Tokyo, Japan―Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President: Taro Iwamoto) today announced that its subsidiary Otsuka Welfare Clinic, was awarded a special commendation by the ambassador of Japan in Pakistan. In 2003, Otsuka Pakistan and 24 Otsuka Group companies conducting business in Asia and the Middle East joined together and established the Otsuka Welfare Clinic in the Pakistan city of Peshawar in order to provide medical care to Afghan refugees.
The ambassador of Japan in Pakistan awarded Otsuka Welfare Clinic this special commendation for free medical care services provided by the clinic over the past eight years, which has made a remarkable contribution to regional welfare and has been very effective in promoting friendship and goodwill between the people of Japan and Pakistan.

Following the 9.11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. in 2001, refugees poured across the border from neighboring Afghanistan and were placed in refugee camps in the border city of Peshawar, with barely enough food, shelter and clothing.

At the time, Otsuka Pharmaceutical was conducting business in Asia, and as a company committed to the betterment of human life, the company wanted to support the refugees. After consideration, Otsuka Pharmaceutical decided to provide free medical treatment to refugees unable to receive adequate care in the camp, which led to the Clinic being established in 2003.

Otsuka Welfare Clinic is visited by approximately 260 patients per day, many of whom are women and children, and has now provided medical care to a total of more than 650,000 people. The clinic has a staff of eight, including three doctors as well as, midwives and pharmacists. The clinic provides treatment for gynecological, respiratory and digestive conditions, and also serves as a community-based medical center by providing treatment to local Pakistani poor residents.

Furthermore, the clinic opened two temporary rescue centers to provide medical care and treatment after flooding that occurred in July 2010, one of which was at the badly damaged Azakhel refugee camp located nearby.

Otsuka Pakistan and all 25 Otsuka Group companies operating in Asia and the Middle East will continue to engage in community-based activities to contribute to improving people's health.

Based on its corporate philosophy of "Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide," Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is dedicated to contributing to the health of people around the world.

Left photo: Special commendation awarded for contributions made by the Otsuka Welfare Clinic, which has provided free treatment to more than 650,000 people since being established in 2003.
Standing at right: Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Mr. Hiroshi Oe; center: Mr. Abid Hussain, CEO of Otsuka Pakistan; and left: Clinic Director, Doctor Minhas Amir

Right photo: Snapshot of exam being conducted at the Otsuka Welfare Clinic