MANILA, Philippines - MSD, the Philippine subsidiary of global pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc., continues to reinforce its commitment to patient healthcare by offering a broader and more diversified product portfolio in women’s health.
According to Chris Tan, managing director of MSD, the company is focused on delivering innovative medical solutions that address diseases commonly encountered by Filipino women.
“MSD is broadening its product portfolio and, more importantly, empowering female patients by offering more solutions for their health needs — from fertility to postmenopausal, including osteoporosis and cervical cancer,” says Tan.
Women today enjoy an active lifestyle as they pursue personal and professional goals and interests. Through its innovative medicines, MSD not only ensures the well-being of women and addresses their key health needs, but is also enabling them to make better choices — to prepare and to plan — for their future.
Tan shares that as MSD strengthens its position in the women’s healthcare market, it is set to offer more products that satisfy women’s health requirements, like, for example, an osteoporosis medicine which can be taken without the need for accompanying vitamin D supplements. This medicine combines a bisphosphonate and vitamin D, and meets the suggested increase in the daily intake of vitamin D for adults recommended by the US National Osteoporosis Foundation. Prior to its introduction, patients who take osteoporosis medicines needed to take vitamin D supplements separately to absorb the vital calcium components more efficiently.
“Because of innovation, we’re able to make osteoporosis treatment more convenient for patients allowing them to be more compliant with therapy,” adds Tan.
In addition, Tan notes that MSD has committed considerable resources to the development of its quadrivalent HPV vaccine, which helps protect young girls and women from cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases such as genital warts, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer. Aside from MSD’s efforts in the Philippines, Merck & Co., Inc., as a whole, also drives vaccine access in various developing countries through partnerships with governments as well as private groups.
The company also revealed that it is planning to launch at least two new products each year and make innovative brands available locally. Aside from cardiovascular and women’s health products, other areas that MSD is focusing on include vaccines, infectious diseases, and oncology.