Abstract: Ivermectin (registered for human use as Mectizan®) was donated by Merck & Co Inc in 1987 for the treatment and control of human onchocerciasis (“river blindness”). This philanthropic gesture has had a remarkable effect in reducing the incidence and prevalence of this serious ocular and dermatological disease, while changing health system support for
Researchers have finally discovered how ivermectin, one of the most important worm-killing drugs used in both humans and animals for decades, actually works.
The InterAmerican Conference on Onchocerciasis is an annual event where stakeholders in the elimination programme’s regional initiative can present information on progress and discuss challenges. The 19th annual conference was held in Río de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2009; the conference sought to address the unfinished elimination agenda. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Health of Brazil, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz and the Onchocerciasis Elimination Program for the Americas and attended by over 100 participants.
Ecuador Becomes Second Country in the Americas to Halt River Blindness Transmission: Carter Center Hails Major Step Forward in Campaign to Rid Americas of Parasitic Infection by 2012; Urges Intensified Efforts in the Four Remaining Endemic Countries
October 13, 2009, Istanbul, Turkey – Helen Keller International (HKI), represented by Shawn Baker, Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, attended the Arab Gulf Program for United Nations Development Organizations’ (AGFUND) ceremony to honor the recipients of its annual International Prize for Pioneering Development Projects. This year’s theme was the prevention of visual impairment, and HKI was awarded first prize of $150,000 for its "Sustainable Control of Onchocerciasis” program in Africa.
Merck & Co., Inc and the Mectizan Donation Program are pleased to announce that Dr. Ed Cupp is the recipient of the 2009 Merck Mectizan Award. Dr. Cupp was nominated by his peers nominated for his remarkable contributions to the control and elimination of onchocerciasis. Dr. Cupp has amassed a number of achievements that make him well-qualified for the award:
We are pleased to share the attached press release from the International Eye Foundation announcing the recipients of the Promotion of Peace & Vision Awards.
Merck & Co., Inc. received the inaugural IEF Promotion of Peace & Vision Award to a Corporation for outstanding commitment to controlling and eliminating onchocerciasis (river blindness) worldwide.
WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., July 20, 2009 - Merck & Co., Inc. issued the following statement in response to study results published today by the World Health Organization offering the first evidence that elimination of the tropical disease river blindness (onchocerciasis) in Africa is feasible with treatment with ivermectin (registered trademark Mectizan®).
