In 2007, Merck announced a commitment to help improve access to GARDASIL^® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] in developing countries, where more than 85 percent of the world's cervical cancer cases occur.

Through the charitable GARDASIL Access Program, Merck pledged to donate at least three million doses of GARDASIL for use in smaller scale human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination projects in eligible lowest-income countries around the world. Learn more about the GARDASIL Access Program.

Merck is partnering with the international nonprofit organization PATH to conduct demonstration projects of GARDASIL in Peru, Vietnam and India to support the acceleration of availability of cervical cancer vaccines in the most impoverished nations. Approximately 35,000 adolescent girls are participating in the HPV Vaccines: Evidence for Impact demonstration projects, which are designed to strengthen the capacity of developing countries to prevent cervical cancer by generating and providing necessary evidence for decision making about public sector introduction of HPV vaccines, inform global advocacy efforts, and provide analyses to help accelerate access to HPV vaccines. PATH, in collaboration with Merck, began the projects in April 2007.

Projects in Peru and Vietnam have been extended and are currently ongoing and are expected to conclude in 2011.

In September 2009, Merck and QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company and the leading global provider of sample and assay technologies, announced their intent to collaborate on a new program to increase access to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and HPV DNA testing in some of the most resource-poor areas of the world. This initiative marks the first time a vaccine manufacturer and a molecular diagnostics company are collaborating to address the burden of cervical cancer in one comprehensive approach.

As part of the collaboration, Merck intends to provide, for free, up to five million doses of GARDASIL and QIAGEN intends to add to its existing one million test donation program by providing HPV DNA tests to screen an additional 500,000 women. The two companies also plan to work with cervical cancer experts to support the development and implementation of sustainable best practice models for cervical cancer reduction in low-income, high-disease-burden countries. Read the full press release.

In May 2010, the Asian country of Bhutan became the first developing nation in the world to implement a national cervical cancer vaccination program. Merck is partnering with the government of Bhutan and the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF) to initiate a six-year program aimed at reducing incidences of the disease. The program, led by Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck and the Bhutan Ministry of Health, will provide an opportunity for appropriate girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 18 to be vaccinated with GARDASIL as part of this initiative.

Merck is also working with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to study GARDASIL in underserved populations in India, a country that carries one fourth of the world's cervical cancer burden. Cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer in Indian women.

In June 2008, the GAVI Alliance included HPV vaccines on its list of vaccines for potential future investment. In the May 2010 edition of Outlook, GAVI published data jointly with PATH, PAHO and UNFPA on the latest evidence on vaccination and screening for cervical cancer. For more information, click here.

In April 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) published its official HPV position paper supporting the introduction of HPV vaccines in all of its 193 member states.

To increase the transparency of the Company's product registration status, we will disclose every six months the list of countries where GARDASIL is licensed, click here.