Merck supports WHO to create a global alliance to eliminate schistosomiasis

Germany’s Merck KGaA (MRK: DE) has proposed the creation of a global alliance to help the World Health Organization (WHO) achieve its goal of eliminating schistosomiasis worldwide.

Stefan Oschmann, a member of the executive board of Merck and chief executive of pharma, presented the initiative at the 67th World Health Assembly in Geneva today. He announced that Merck will be a founding member of this new global alliance aiming to further support WHO’s goal. Merck calls for different NTD (neglected tropical diseases) constituencies to join on focusing efforts to address remaining gaps and challenges to meet the elimination target.

Merck is committed to helping WHO to eliminate the worm disease schistosomiasis in Africa. As an important part of its responsible entrepreneurship, the company launched the Merck Praziquantel Donation Program in 2007. c is well tolerated and the most effective treatment to date for schistosomiasis. Since then, more than 38 million children have been treated and over 160 million tablets have been donated. Merck will work with WHO and partners to define the appropriate structure of this alliance. Dr Oschmann said: “We see this initiative as a major development. This alliance will allow the different constituencies to engage in a coordinated approach to best address the challenges on how to meet the elimination target.”