Merck Sustainability Report 2021

Leaving no one behind

Our Healthcare business sector addresses the unmet medical needs of millions of people around the world, including underserved populations in low- and middle-income countries. We make health solutions affordable and accessible while raising awareness about diseases and helping people learn how to manage them.

Stopping the spread of
schistosomiasis

182 million

is the number of tablets we donated for distribution in 32 countries in 2021. 30 of these countries are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Treating school-aged children

1.5 billion

is the number of tablets we have provided in partnership with WHO to treat schistosomiasis in 47 endemic African countries since 2007. 600 million school-aged children could be treated since.

Preventing the disease

170,000 school-aged children

were reached by our joint health education project with the NALA Foundation. Since 2017, we have been supporting WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) activities in Ethiopia.

An invisible enemy

We are working with global partners to eliminate schistosomiasis, a tropical worm disease. Providing tablets for treatment is crucial. In combination with innovation, greater awareness and access to clean, safe water, patients in endemic regions can be healthy and active members of their communities.

Eliminating schistosomiasis

Thanks for supporting us in raising awareness of this important topic! Improving hygiene and sanitation is crucial in fighting this disease.

Michal Bruck, NALA Foundation, Israel

Declining prevalence

Recent scientific research found the prevalence of schistosomiasis in school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa fell nearly 60% between 2000-2019.

Scientific publication of results in
“The Lancet”

This huge reduction in schistosomiasis cases shows we are on the road to #makingSchistory!

Antonia Asche, Healthcare, Germany

I am proud that we provided tablets for 47 endemic African countries to help school-aged children.

Johannes Waltz, Healthcare, UK

Promising news for the youngest

Around 50 million preschool-aged children suffering from schistosomiasis don’t have access to treatment – but we are aiming to close this gap. In 2021, in partnership with the Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium, we reached an important development milestone for a new potential treatment option.

Research and development for schistosomiasis

Congrats to the team on their achievement! The completion of the clinical Phase III trial brings hope to the most vulnerable populations affected by this devastating worm disease.

Jutta Reinhard-Rupp, Global Health Institute, Switzerland

Contribution to our strategic goal 1

Research & development and providing access to health solutions are core elements of our approach to achieving health for all.

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Contribution to SDG 3

Our ambition is to help fighting the epidemics of malaria, neglected tropical diseases and other communicable diseases.​

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Explore our other stories

Making our products more sustainable

 3

Joint research with TU Darmstadt

 3

Success through more diversity and inclusion

 3

How we are becoming more climate friendly

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