Merck MECTIZAN® Donation Program

The Merck MECTIZAN® Donation Program (MDP), was launched in 1987, when Merck & Co., Inc. announced that it would donate MECTIZAN® (ivermectin), its breakthrough medicine for the treatment of onchocerciasis (commonly known as “river blindness”) to all who needed it for as long as necessary. A unique, multisectoral partnership was established with the agreement and cooperation of governments in countries where onchocerciasis is endemic, their ministries of health and other national and international stakeholders to ensure appropriate infrastructure, distribution and support. 2003 marked the 16 th anniversary of the MDP for the treatment of river blindness. At the end of 2004, Merck had donated over 1.3 billion Mectizan® tablets worldwide, reaching more than 40 million people a year in 34 countries in Africa, Latin America and Yemen, with more than 452 million cumulative treatments administered since 1987. In addition, more than 80,000 affected African communities manage the planning and distribution of MECTIZAN® through Community-Directed Treatment. This system is leading to the integration of other healthcare interventions. Community distributors, specifically trained to distribute MECTIZAN®, are identifying and playing a role in the treatment of other maladies, such as lymphatic filariasis and Vitamin A deficiency. Polio immunization, Guinea worm eradication, and the diagnosis of cataract and trachoma are also being linked to Community-Directed Treatment, a mechanism pioneered through MECTIZAN® distribution.