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The Diseases
The Mectizan® Donation Program (MDP or the Program) is an international program working to eliminate two diseases: onchocerciasis (also known as river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (LF or elephantiasis).
These two debilitating parasitic diseases cause pain, suffering, and stigmatization. With sustained, annual treatment over time, transmission of both diseases can be eliminated. In the Americas, four of the six endemic countries no longer suffer from river blindness. In Africa, Togo no longer suffers from LF. MDP is committed to ending the suffering by eliminating these diseases worldwide.
*Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A., is known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada.