Amman - 24 February 2013. Setting an example for the MENA and the world on how corporations can become smoke-free, Jordan's leading pharmaceutical manufacturer and Global Smoke-free Partnership (GSP) member, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with the Cancer Control Office (CCO) of King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) and the GSP, organized "Towards a Smoke-Free Environment" session.

The session was attended by the top business organizations in Jordan, who were invited to encourage smoke-free workplaces through this public-private collaboration. This initiative comes in line with Hikma's commitment to improving people's lives through addressing dangerous health related diseases and advocating preventive measures to avoid them.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals presented its success story in implementing smoke-free corporate policies in all its premises worldwide since 1994, for which it was selected to feature in the "Smoke-free-in-a-Box" toolkit; that is available in multiple languages; to offer practical guidance for other companies. Hikma also presented the corporate business values of going smoke-free and its membership in the GSP due to its best practices in adopting and enforcing smoke-free worksite policies. GSP is a global partnership dedicated to promoting effective smoke-free air policies worldwide, offering resources and expertise to advocates and practitioners.

The Cancer Control Office at the KHCC explained the hazards of smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke and their relation to non-communicable diseases.  They also highlighted that tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people every year, and the death toll could rise to more than 8 million by 2030.  

 Mrs. Hana Ramadan, Director of Corporate Communications at Hikma Pharmaceuticals, commented on Hikma's initiative saying "these numbers are alarming and require action on all levels and across all sectors in the society, therefore we feel that it is our responsibility to share our experience and encourage others to adopt smoke-free policies by presenting the benefits of being a smoke-free entity and explaining its value".

About Hikma
Hikma Pharmaceuticals is a fast growing multinational group focused on developing, manufacturing and marketing a broad range of both branded and non branded generic and in-licensed products.  Hikma's operations are conducted through three businesses: "Branded", "Injectables" and "Generics" based principally in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where it is a market leader, the United States and Europe.  In 2011, Hikma achieved revenues of US$918.0 million and profit attributable to shareholders of US$80.1 million.   

For more information
HIKMA Pharmaceuticals
Name: Hana Ramadan, Maha Hammad
Email: hramadan@hikma.com, MHammad@hikma.com
Tel: (+962) 6 5802900 Ext. 313, 356

VARCC - Arabian Communications
Name: Sara Haddadin  
Email: Sara.haddadin@varcc.com  
Tel: (+962) 6 5547161
Fax:(+962) 6 5547162

© Press Release 2013