Merck launches "Hope Against Hepatitis C" initiative....

FYI, I'm too jaded for appropriate commentary, hopefully something truly good will come from this alliance of drug developers/marketers and the CDC.

Merck Announces Hope Against Hepatitis C Initiative to Support Public Awareness, Education and Research in the Fight Against Hepatitis C Virus

May 09, 2011 08:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced the launch of Hope Against Hepatitis C, a company initiative to increase awareness, prevention and diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Through the Hope Against Hepatitis C program, Merck will support a wide range of public education and patient support programs, as well as research efforts to help improve care for people living with chronic HCV infection.

“We also are committed to partnering with the scientific community to advance the field, and to improving access to chronic hepatitis C care.”

Chronic HCV is a serious infection of the liver and many of those infected do not know that they have the virus – approximately 60 to 80 percent of people infected with chronic HCV do not have symptoms. As a result, people who are undiagnosed may continue to unknowingly spread the virus to others. Chronic HCV infection can damage the liver over time and may lead to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and liver cancer.

"Winning the battle against viral hepatitis C requires improved public awareness and education to ensure that those at risk speak to their physicians about getting tested," said Patrick Bergstedt, senior vice president and general manager, Infectious Diseases, Global Human Health, Merck. "Merck is committed to supporting these efforts, which are critical to managing this serious public health issue.”

The Hope Against Hepatitis C initiative will encompass a variety of public-private partnerships, educational programs and collaborative research efforts aimed at supporting the hepatitis C community.

Key initiatives of the program include Merck's participation in the CDC Foundation's Viral Hepatitis Action Coalition. As a member of the Coalition, Merck is providing support for key research and programs led by the Division of Viral Hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through grants to the CDC Foundation. Specifically, Merck is providing support for CDC's Birth-cohort Evaluation to Advance Screening and Testing for Hepatitis C (BEST-C) project. This two-year study will evaluate a birth-cohort-based approach of routine one-time screening for HCV infection of all persons born 1945-1965 to increase the proportion of people who are aware of their HCV status. Merck also is providing full funding through the CDC Foundation for a fellowship in CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis to evaluate HCV testing practices and partial support for CDC's National Hepatitis Education Campaign targeted to health care providers, the general community, as well as populations at risk.

Merck is sponsoring the expansion of the American Liver Foundation's (ALF) Treatment Choices Initiative for individuals who have or are at high risk of chronic HCV infection. This initiative encompasses community-based education programs to inform participants about the liver, liver disease, specifically chronic HCV infection, and disease management strategies. The programs provide perspectives from healthcare providers, as well as individuals who are infected with chronic HCV. Program speakers and participants discuss available information and local resources.

Merck also has launched a new consumer education website, www.AllAboutHepC.com, to help inform patients about the risks associated with chronic HCV infection and to address common questions about the disease. The site is designed to provide content and resources in a user-friendly format that empowers patients to take action and start a conversation with their healthcare professionals. Among the useful features of the site is a risk factor questionnaire that patients can use to assess their risk for infection with chronic HCV. The site offers information on how chronic HCV can lead to serious health problems and helpful tips for patients to use in talking to a physician about chronic HCV infection. A list of questions is available for print-out so that users can take it to their doctor’s office for consultation.

"Merck's commitment in HCV spans three decades and extends beyond drug discovery and development," Bergstedt said. "We also are committed to partnering with the scientific community to advance the field, and to improving access to chronic hepatitis C care.”

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.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Merck’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on the effectiveness of Merck’s patents and other protections for innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health policies in the United States and internationally and the exposure to litigation and/or regulatory actions.

Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Merck’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

Contacts

Merck
Media:
Pamela Eisele, 908-423-5042
Robert Consalvo, 908-423-6595
or
Investors:
Alex Kelly, 908-423-5185
Carol Ferguson, 908-423-4465