Merck's mission is to continue to improve the health of people through the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products that contribute to the quality of life.

Despite significant medical advances in many therapeutic areas, there has been limited progress in many countries in terms of appropriate levels of patient treatment and broad-based access to available therapies. This situation arises in part from the tensions between the best clinical practices (as defined by evidence-based medicine) and the pressures of cost containment in publicly financed health systems.

In this context, Merck regards its contributions to organizations that benefit society—such as patient groups and health-related charities and nongovernmental organizations—as fundamental to our goals and corporate responsibility. Because of the gaps in patient care in such areas as vaccination, heart disease, HIV, hepatitis C infection and other chronic conditions, we believe there is a compelling need for the pharmaceutical industry to work more closely with patient organizations to improve access to accurate, balanced and reliable information about diseases and available therapies.

Practices

Merck has a long history of collaboration with patient groups and health-related charities in areas that are relevant to our business, including knowledge and understanding of diseases and treatment options, and information and decision making among consumers in healthcare. We recognize the legal and reputational risks of inappropriate donations or sponsorships; therefore Merck has policies and management systems in place to ensure the integrity of our practices. We also comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Principles

Because patients are at the core of health systems, it is especially important to support or develop appropriate programs and projects with patient societies and associations. Merck believes in collaboration with healthcare stakeholders—including government and other payers, healthcare providers and patient organizations—to support programs that aim to improve patient education and patient care in therapeutic areas of Merck's expertise.

Merck supports and participates in programs with patient organizations to assist them in increasing disease awareness and obtaining improved access to medicines and better healthcare. In addition, Merck works with patient organizations to disseminate and share quality medical, scientific and pharmacoeconomic information, consistent with legal and regulatory obligations and respect for their independence. Merck recognizes that working with patient societies and organizations is important to building valuable relationships that advance the mutual objectives of both parties to improve patient care. Decisions to contribute toward the funding of patient societies are dependent on:

• A written description explaining how the funding will advance educational and disease awareness objectives
• An internal review by relevant Merck groups
• The consistent application of Merck policies and procedures, including those related to contributions, advertising and promotion, sales and marketing, and to our ethical business practices, as outlined in Our Values and Standards guide

We believe that patient organizations should be free to seek funding from all sources, including governments, associations and companies, to increase disease awareness and obtain improved access to medicines and better healthcare. Merck adheres to all guidelines and regulations that are relevant to relationships with patient organizations and to the provision of information about diseases and available therapies in individual countries.