Charlotte-based Premier funnels critical medical supplies to Ukrainian hospitals amid Russian invasion

For Premier Inc., the push to provide needed medical supplies to Ukraine is far from over.

Charlotte-based Premier (NASDAQ: PINC), through its subsidiary S2S Global, began funneling supplies to Ukrainian hospitals weeks ago. Needed supplies range from gloves and isolation gowns to medical equipment. Many hospitals have been destroyed as Russia continues its invasion into the eastern European country, leaving providers without the critical tools to treat the sick and wounded.

"We are doing our best to help the terrible situation over there," said Colin Bain, president of direct sourcing. "We're committed to this. ... We're not sending a container or five containers (or) 10 containers over and then we're out."

The first donation included more than 2,200 cases of medical products, or enough to fill a couple of 53-foot tractor trailers. Those products, worth about $250,000, successfully made it into Ukraine and are being distributed, said Lillia Taschuk, a regional sales manager whose family is from Ukraine. About 20 pallets went to Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city and one that has recently seen intense fighting. Premier is planning a second donation worth about $500,000, she said.

However, Premier's donations are only part of the effort.

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