Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., U.S.A.* donates Mectizan for the elimination of river blindness (onchocerciasis) and lymphatic filariasis (LF) worldwide. For LF elimination in African countries where river blindess is co-endemic, Mectizan is co-administered with albendazole, donated by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). In countries eligible for “triple therapy” to accelerate LF elimination, Mectizan and albendazole are co-administered with diethylcarbamazine (DEC), donated by Eisai.
Merck is committed to improving access to medicines and improving health in developing countries. More than one billion treatments have been donated since Merck’s 1987 commitment to provide Mectizan “as much as needed, for as long as needed.”
Merck also supports elimination efforts beyond the pill through financial support to partners.
*Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., U.S.A., is known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada.