AmeriCares honors Merck with Power of Partnership Award

STAMFORD, Conn. — AmeriCares on Monday presented its annual Power of Partnership Award to Merck in recognition of the company’s 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, the organization stated. 

“Merck has demonstrated remarkable support for AmeriCares Emergency Response Program, as well as enormous compassion for disaster survivors,” stated Curt Welling, AmeriCares president and CEO. “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.”

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 five-year program to combat cardiovascular disease in Uzbekistan and donating enough Hepatitis B vaccines to vaccinate 2,000 healthcare 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," stated Brenda Colatrella, exective director of corporate responsibility for Merck. "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."

Welling presented the award at the Healthcare Distribution Management Association’s 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.