This year we’re celebrating 5 billion Mectizan treatments donated for countries fighting river blindness and lymphatic filariasis. In 1987 former Merck CEO Roy Vagelos made an extraordinary promise: the donation of Mectizan—“as much as needed, for as long as needed.” Merck’s commitment has had an enormous impact over the past 38 years: nine countries have eliminated river blindness or lymphatic filariasis, with more on the horizon.
Enjoy this video of the kickoff celebration of 5 billion treatments held at the Mectizan production facility at MSD Haarlem in the Netherlands.