Global Health

As the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company, we are committed to improve Access to Health (A2H) on a global scale: by making use of our core competencies, expertise and experience across the health value chain. We want to be a valued partner in addressing the worldwide health needs of under-served populations and communities. In tackling access barriers in developing countries, we uphold our core values of quality, collaboration, accountability, transparency and respect for human rights.

We are aware that access to health is a complex challenge with many facets and no one-size-fits-all solution. That’s why our programs and initiatives are tailored to global, regional and local needs, taking a holistic approach and working in partnerships. As our A2H work is a key element of our Corporate Responsibility strategy, it cuts across different areas of our business.

Have a look at what we do across the globe to improve access to health here.    

We call our approach the ‘Four As of Access’. Each of the four As stands for a specific task we have set ourselves with the ultimate goal to improve access to health everywhere and for everyone:

• Availability – research and develop health solutions
• Affordability – assist those unable to pay for health solutions
• Accessibility – strengthen supply chains and develop localized solutions
• Awareness – empower with tools, knowledge, information and skills

We support a number of different initiatives worldwide to reach our goal of providing better access to health. See a selection of these in the media gallery below.

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That’s why we have been ranked 4th in the 2018 Access to Medicine (ATM) Index, one of the three most credible sustainability ratings worldwide.
Every two years, the Access to Medicine Foundation benchmarks the top pharmaceutical companies according to their efforts to advance global access to medicines. We have maintained our position among the top 5 and this reflects once again our continuous commitment to improving sustainable access to high-quality solutions for all communities, regardless of their location or ability to pay.

• http://accesstomedicineindex.org/
• https://accesstomedicinefoundation.org/access-to-medicine-index/report-cards/merck-kgaa/

Our medicines and pharmaceutical products meet the highest standards when it comes to safety, environmental sustainability and ethical practices. We take numerous steps to ensure this ethos. But our sense of responsibility extends far beyond our own products - we also aspire to help solve global issues by contributing our expertise. Take for instance the fight against counterfeit pharmaceuticals in developing and emerging countries. According to Interpol estimates, up to 30% of all medicines in these regions are counterfeit or substandard. This puts the lives of thousands of patients at risk. In an effort to identify counterfeits quickly and easily, the Global Pharma Health Fund (GPHF), a non-profit initiative funded by Merck, has developed the GPHF Minilab™.

The GPHF has specifically developed the Minilab for use in regions with simple infrastructure. This compact, portable lab fits into a tropics-resistant suitcase and enables counterfeit medicines to be detected quickly, easily and inexpensively. The tests do not rely on external power sources and require only ordinary drinking water. There is currently no other product like it.

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We cannot do it alone. Merck engages and participates with dialogue and partnerships across the global health spectrum, and works with all stakeholders to deliver sustainable global health outcomes.