Merck, a leading science and technology company, has donated 71m praziquantel tablets to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria in the fight against schistosomiasis.
The organization announced its presence in Nigeria through the donation and opening of a new office in Lagos.
Speaking separately during a health roundtable with the officials of the federal ministry of health, CEO-elect of Merck, Stefan Oschmann and President of North & West Africa, Karim Bendhaou said the move was the company’s first attempt in the country and part of its strategy to grow its market share in the West African region.
Oschmann noted that Merck products have already been present in the country for several years but the office was to expand the this portfolio with the launch of the Muse Auto CD4/CD4% System, a compact and an easy to use HIV/AIDS Diagnostic Kit, which can monitor the progression of the HIV/AIDS virus in patients.
He said, “Nigeria is an evident choice for us. With a population that is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas, this is a perfect match with Merck. Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and we believe that through our high quality and innovative healthcare and life science specialty products and services, we can contribute to that growth.”
General Manager Nigeria for Biopharma, Charles Ajibo said, “Nigeria is a very important market for us and this will only increase in the coming years. We plan to expand our current portfolio in a steady pace and introduce many more products that are targeted to the unmet medical needs of Nigerian patients and help them improve their daily lives.”
President of North & West Africa, Karim Bendhaou said since the start of the Merck Praziquantel Donation Program, Merck has donated over 290million praziquantel tablets.
He said, “To date, more than 64 million patients have been treated, consisting primarily of school children. Nigeria is currently the largest recipient of the Merck Praziquantel Donation Program. Praziquantel is the most effective treatment for the parasitic worm disease schistosomiasis. Until now, Merck has donated nearly 71,000,000 tablets to WHO for Nigeria and another 34 million will follow by the end of this year.”
Millions of children worldwide still suffer from schistosomiasis. The disease prevents them from learning and weakens development potential in the affected countries.
