Partner Case Study

Merck & Co., in partnership with its Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) affliate, and the National Cancer Coalition collaborate on a number of targeted pharmaceuical donations to help provide access to cancer-related therapies in Latin America. These medicines, which have helped hundreds of patients, have included Merck’s brain cancer theapy Temodar and its adjunctive therapy Emend.

During the course of this on-going relationship, the developing world countries that have benefited from this partenrship include: the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Peru, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Specific products provided included Temodar 20mg, 100mg, and 250mg capusles were provided and they are used to treat two spcecific types of brain cancers, which include glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma. In addition, significant quantities of Emend 80mg and Emend 125mg capsules, which are indicated for cancer patients experiencing nausea and vomiting from their required chemotherapy regime, were provided to cancer hospitals in many of the above countries. To recognize these important donations, a number of hand-over ceremonies were held in which both NCC and Merck / MSD representatives participated, along with local dignitaries, hospital administration, medical personnel, and benefiting patients.

During a hand-over in Montevideo, Uruguay, the United States Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires Ms. Robin Matthewman participated in that hand-over event and stated, “This is a prime example of American NGOs and corporations collaborating to help the public hospitals in this country. This demonstration of partnership and generosity provides hope and improved treatment outcomes for underserved Uruguayan patients.” Also present at the official functions was the Minister of Health Dr. María Julia Muñoz, who thanked the National Cancer Coalition and Merck for their long-time support of underserved cancer patients in Uruguay.

Merck Sharp & Dohme’s Latin America Region President, Mr. Tadeu Alves said, “Merck Sharp & Dohme, as a global research-driven pharmaceutical company, believes that it has an important responsibility in improving access to medicines, vaccines and quality health care worldwide. Since 1958, we have been working through the Merck Medical Outreach Program in partnership with NGO’s like NCC to ensure that our products are accessible to patients worldwide.” Over $3 million worth of Merck medicines and vaccines have been provided to NCC for its partner cancer hospitals and programs.

Robert B. Landry, III, President of NCC commented, “National Cancer Coalition has been pleased to partner with Merck, a real leader in the pharmaceutical industry and the manufacturer of countless vital products that are required to fully combat and prevent cancers. We are committed to providing high quality cancer and chronic disease therapies for patients who would otherwise go without and Merck has been a true partner in this effort.” Mr. Landry made comments at an Asuncion hand-over ceremony to mark the Emend donation to the largest public cancer hospital in Paraguay, where event participants included the U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay Liliana Ayalde, Minister of Health Dr. Esperanza Martínez, and MSD Director for Public Policy for the Southern Cone region Raul Gatica.

In addition to Merck’s Emend and Temodar donations to NCC, the Coalition has also been a part of a collaboration that provided donations of the Merck vaccine Gardasil to Dr. Daron Ferris’ CerviCusco clinic in Peru. Independently, NCC is part of a group of organizations that are providing Gardasil to the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Moldova for a prevention program in that country. Gardasil is a vaccine utilized to protect against HPV infections, which is the leading known cause of most cervical cancers.

About Merck

Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

Website: http://www.merck.com/

Physical Locations:

The Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Nicaragua
Uruguay
Peru
Paraguay
Uruguay
CerviCusco

Specific Brand Names

Merck
MSD
Temodar
Emend
Gardasil

NCC Campaigns

NCC Cares
SMART Program

Merck - NCC Cares - Nicaragua - Paraguay - Temodar

Merck and NCC Partnership

NCC and Merck officials participate in Hand-Over of Emend with the Instituto de Oncologia and the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic.

“Since 1958, we have been working through the Merck Medical Outreach Program in partnership with NGO's like NCC...”

- Mr. Tadeu Alves, Merck Sharp & Dohme’s Latin America Region President

Merck in the Field

Priscilla

Priscilla is a brain cancer patient in Nicaragua who has and will benefit from NCC’s relationship with Merck and the resulting donations of Temodar. More