AmeriCares Honors Merck with Power of Partnership Award

STAMFORD, Conn., June 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AmeriCares has presented its annual Power of Partnership Award to Merck & Co. Inc. in recognition of the company's outstanding commitment to helping disaster survivors and improving health in the developing world. Merck is one of AmeriCares most committed donors, providing both products and financial support for the global health and disaster relief organization's aid programs.

AmeriCares President and CEO Curt Welling presented the award today at the Healthcare Distribution Management Association's (HDMA) Business and Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla. AmeriCares and HDMA created the Power of Partnership Award to recognize medical manufacturing and distribution organizations that have shown exceptional dedication to expanding access to health care for disadvantaged populations.

"Merck has demonstrated remarkable support for AmeriCares Emergency Response Program, as well as enormous compassion for disaster survivors," Welling said. "With Merck's help, we have assisted millions of people around the world in desperate need following earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and other emergencies. Most recently, in the immediate aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, Merck generously donated cash, vaccines and chronic care medications to aid survivors."

In addition to helping AmeriCares respond to disasters in the moment, Merck has been forward leaning, providing critical funding in advance of anticipated crises. Its sponsorship of a ground-breaking rapid response capability enabled AmeriCares and its partner icddr,b to reduce cholera-related deaths in Sierra Leone last year.

Since 1989 Merck has provided AmeriCares with more than $210 million in medicines for distribution to 94 countries. The company's support includes sponsoring a 5-year program to combat cardiovascular disease in Uzbekistan and donating enough Hepatitis B vaccines to vaccinate 2,000 health care workers and medical students in a program that enhanced safety practices at one of Tanzania's largest hospitals.

"Our focus at Merck is to do what it takes to save and improve lives around the world, and to do so, we must develop novel medicines and vaccines along with smart, innovative ways to expand access to them. Our partnership with AmeriCares is one of the ways we achieve that – especially for communities in crisis. We know that the products we donate to AmeriCares are in good hands, and together, we will continue to help address critical health needs around the world," said Brenda Colatrella, Executive Director of Corporate Responsibility at Merck.

The company is headquartered in Whitehouse Station, N.J.

"HDMA congratulates Merck on this achievement; their contributions in support of the AmeriCares mission have made a difference in the lives of countless individuals," said HDMA President and CEO John M. Gray. "We are proud to partner with AmeriCares to honor this company's efforts to improve public health around the world."

About AmeriCares
AmeriCares is a nonprofit global health and disaster relief organization that delivers medicines, medical supplies and aid to people in need around the world and across the United States. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has distributed more than $11 billion in humanitarian aid to 164 countries. For more information, visit americares.org

About HDMA
HDMA is the national association representing primary healthcare distributors, the vital link between the nation's pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers. Each business day, HDMA member companies ensure that nine million prescription medicines and healthcare products are delivered safely and efficiently to more than 200,000 pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and others nationwide. HDMA and its members work daily to provide value and achieve cost savings, an estimated $42 billion each year to our nation's healthcare system. For more information, visit www.HealthcareDistribution.org.

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 and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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SOURCE AmeriCares