Partnership Objectives
- Accelerate access to proven solutions.
- Product Innovation.
- Global Awareness and Advocacy.
Description of the health needs
Every day, 1,000 women die from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. Nearly all of these deaths are preventable. Merck is dedicating itself to the vision that no woman should die to give life.
Description of partnership activities
In September, 2011 Merck announced the launch of "Merck for Mothers", a long-term effort with global health partners to create a world where no woman has to die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
The 10-year, half-billion-dollar initiative applies Merck's scientific and business expertise to making proven solutions more widely available, advancing new game-changing technologies and improving public awareness, policy efforts and private sector engagement to help reduce maternal mortality.
"Merck for Mothers" will focus on the two leading causes of maternal mortality (post-partum hemorrhage and preeclampsia) as well as family planning, which is known to play an important role in reducing maternal mortality.
How challenges are addressed by the partnership activities
Merck for Mothers programming has been informed by an extensive stakeholder outreach process that started in 2011. The initiative is collaborating with existing global efforts spearheaded by the UN Secretary-General, WHO and the US Government.
Summary of impact through December 2011 and looking forward
In December, 2011 Merck announced a collaboration with PATH, an NGO leader in global health technology, to identify game-changing technologies with potential to save the lives of women during pregnancy and childbirth in low-resource settings.
Spearheaded by top scientists from Merck for Mothers and PATH, this unique alliance will evaluate more than 30 promising technologies at various stages of development that address the two leading causes of maternal mortality—post-partum hemorrhage and preeclampsia—as well as family planning.
The partnership, valued at US 2.5 million and extending through fall 2012, will integrate private- and public-sector expertise to help evaluate affordable and easy-to-use maternal health technologies that are effective in resource-poor settings.