DOING THE
RIGHT THING
We believe doing the right thing always makes sound business sense.
We have a responsibility not only to our customers, partners and employees, but also to the environment we inhabit and the communities we serve worldwide.
We work hard every day to reduce our energy demand and carbon emissions, support our communities, and improve access to medicines, vaccines and quality healthcare around the world.
Our goal is to remain in step with the evolving demands of global business - to be competitive, ethical, innovative, and committed to the idea that good citizenship makes good business sense.
In the area of Access to Health, MSD has initiated the following patient-centric projects in India:
Project Transcend
MSD India launched Project Transcend, a unique certificate programme aimed at helping update primary care physicians (general physicians) on evidence based management of diabetes and access of Indian population to effective diabetes care. The programme is a partnership between Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Education Academy (DMDEA) and was launched in February 2010. Roll out of the certification programme was achieved by establishing city/town level networks between interested primary care physicians as trainees and diabetes care specialists as training faculty; 200 such networks have been established and 2,000 primary care physicians trained.
IIAN Programme
MSD India has entered into an agreement with Advanced Nursing Foundation (a body created by Ministry of Health, Government of India and Clinton Foundation) to set up an advanced training institute for nursing specialised in HIV/AIDS disease management. The programme aims to build healthcare capacity in the developing world with a mutual focus on improving access to HIV/AIDS treatment and care.
GARD
GARD or Guard Against HPV related diseases through regular screening, education and HPV vaccination. The objective of the programme is to help physicians encourage regular screening of sexually active women from 18 to 45 years, who could be at risk for developing HPV related infections, so that appropriate intervention may be initiated at the earliest.
CoED Programme
MSD India has launched an in-clinic programme called CoED in July 2010, an MSD initiative to enhance quality of diabetes care amongst physicians. The objective of developing CoED is to facilitate delivery of comprehensive care by providing Diabetes management software for risk assessment and treatment planning, Training and educational support to existing in-clinic paramedical staff and Patient education tools
SURAKSHA Programme
MSD India launched SURAKSHA, a programme that works on Fracture Discharge Protocol development for Secondary Fracture Prevention. The programme, launched in June 2010, ensures that every patient above 50 years of age with a fragility fracture is evaluated for Osteoporosis by a DEXA scan; that surgical treatment is accompanied by appropriate and simultaneous Medical treatment and also ensures improved compliance via the SPARSH helpline.
SPARSH
SPARSH programme, launched in 2009, has enrolled 5,500 diabetes patients since its inception. Patients taking Januvia® or Janumet® who enrol in the programme receive diabetes education and guidance on diet and exercise modifications that can help manage the disease through personalised one-to-one telephonic sessions, conducted by qualified and highly trained diabetes counsellors. The SPARSH Healthline also calls on patients once a week for the first seven weeks and once a month thereafter to increase adherence to therapy and improve clinical outcomes.
A hepatitis C patient support programme is ongoing, and staff training has begun for a programme focusing on rheumatic disorders.
Antibiotic Stewardship
Antibiotic Stewardship, launched in 2008, is an initiative taken by MSD India to promote rational use of antibiotics and help formulate hospital specific antibiotic policy to improve health care outcomes and minimise antibiotic resistance. The programme today has achieved widespread acceptance among the scientific community and so far 21 hospitals have framed antibiotic policies and work is in progress in another 25-30 hospitals. This programme has been advocated by the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) and under their banner Antibiotic Stewardship was expanded to Antimicrobial Stewardship in 2010 by including management of fungal infections also. The success of this programme in India has prompted other MSD subsidiaries in Asia Pacific region to adopt similar programmes in their own countries, with our teams training and mentoring teams from other subsidiaries.
Guard Yourself
Guard YourselfTM, MSD's cervical cancer prevention programme, is the first-of-its-kind in aiming to make a positive difference in the Indian woman's battle for protection against cervical cancer. Cervical cancer in women leads to almost 73,000 fatalities in India a year. Guard YourselfTM provides vital information about cervical cancer and related HPV diseases through a comprehensive customer support programme, including 24x7 call centres, a website, mass media public service messaging, and NGO support to raise awareness on-ground. Over 1,800 existing clinics based in leading hospitals across the country have been enrolled in the programme and are equipped with essential information, training and literature to support this initiative.
Vaccination Program in Partnership with FOGSIContraception Awareness Programme - FOGSI Partnership
Patient Support Website for Infertility Treatment
Fighting HIV/AIDS in Botswana
In a country ravaged by HIV/AIDS, Merck is helping to change lives. We have committed more than $56 million over several years to our work with the Government of Botswana and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS and provide treatment, care and support for people affected by this disease.
Merck Named Among 100 Best Corporate Citizens for 2010
Merck ranks 17th on the 2010 list of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by "Corporate Responsibility" magazine. The list, considered a leading corporate responsibility ranking, is based on seven categories: Environment, Climate Change, Human Rights, Philanthropy, Employee Relations, Financial Performance, and Governance.
