We want to improve the access to health care for underserved populations. As a pharmaceutical, chemical and life science company, we provide innovative products and services to improve the quality of human life. We are committed to the safe and appropriate use of and access to Merck medicines and health solutions. We acknowledge that not only medicines are lacking in the poorest countries of the world; there is also a great need for doctors and medical personnel to administer them. There is often no refrigerated storage or suitable infrastructure for the transport and distribution of medicines. Furthermore, clean drinking water and basic sanitation are often [...]

Product donations and philanthropic activities are not stand-alone initiatives. To us, they are part of a broader, holistic approach. We support awareness and education programs as well as capacity and infrastructure building in developing countries in order to ensure sustainable access to medicines as well as improved distribution and use of them. Medicine donations by Merck The Merck Praziquantel Donation Program (MPDP) is Merck's largest such philanthropic initiative. In 2007, in collaboration with WHO, Merck launched this program to combat the parasitic worm disease schistosomiasis, the second most common tropical disease in Africa after malaria. Our program [...]

Merck’s pharmaceutical pricing approach helps us recover research, development, manufacturing, regulatory, distribution, and other costs incurred by the company in bringing its products to market, in order to ensure a sustainable supply of products for future generations of patients. This process enables Merck to continue investing in the discovery and development of new medicines. Recognizing the importance of affordable access to medicines in developing countries, we adapt pricing through flexible, differentiated pricing and product donations. Pricing Merck reviews its pricing on a regular basis to ensure that our products are competitive and also accessible. [...]

[...] specialist conventions. During the 2011-2012 period, dialogues were held especially on the topics of access to health in developing health care systems and bioethics; the latter subject was primarily discussed by the new Merck Bioethics Advisory Panel (MBAP), which was founded in 2011. Moreover, we also initiated exchange with the relevant players in the public and private sectors. For example, in 2011 and 2012, Merck invited internationally renowned experts from science and NGOs to debate on the global challenges facing access to health. The dialogues focused on initiatives of the legal entities of the Merck Group that aim to improve access to health in developing [...]

We believe that worldwide access to medicinal product information is one of the keys to improving health care and treatment for patients. For this reason, we support scientific research as well as patient organizations and other key players in the health care industry by donating money and supplies, or through sponsoring activities. With this type of support, it is important for key players to remain neutral in order to protect the patients and ensure them the best treatment. All donations and sponsoring activities must comply with the internal and external standards that apply to Merck's marketing operations. Within the scope of commitments we have made as members [...]