On World Cancer Day, MSD Switzerland Stands United in Support of its Patients
Un document
Lucerne (ots)
World Cancer Day every 4th of February is a global uniting movement led by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) is a proud sponsor of this initiative, joining the conversation to create a groundswell of awareness and action that will enable powerful progress and further advances, creating a better future for all.
Each year, hundreds of activities and events take place around the world, gathering communities, organizations and individuals in schools, businesses, hospitals, the streets and online - acting as a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in reducing the global impact of cancer.
"Cancer is one of the major health challenges of our time. MSD Switzerland stands united with people and families facing the disease, as well as with all the physicians, researchers, government officials, regulators and advocates across the globe who are pushing to improve patient outcomes.", said Dr. Thomas Lang, Managing Director of MSD Switzerland.
"Visionary research and collaborative action have already led to breakthroughs for the prevention and treatment of certain types of cancer and we're committed to driving further innovation to help change the future of this disease.", continued Dr. Rebecca Poehnelt, Director Business Unit Oncology. "MSD Switzerland is responsible for a large clinical trial program for oncology, which as of today includes 26 studies in various cancers. Due to the considerable investments made in science, we have achieved great progress in targeted therapies over past few years. An example of this is the recent Swissmedic approval of KEYTRUDA® as first line treatment for advanced renal cell carcinoma1."
We are also proud to participate in several initiatives to support patients with cancer. These include a website for disease management, campaigns to educate the public about early signs and detection, as well as partnership to improve sustainable cancer care (All.Can; all-can.org). On a more institutional side, MSD Switzerland has engaged in collaborative efforts to raise the awareness of cancer and improve its prevention. Amongst others, we highlight the creation of a platform for discussions on lung cancer polices, jointly managed with the Swiss Consumer Forum and with attendance of the Economist Intelligence Unit. Further to this, we supported the setup of a think tank to address the challenges of a fast-changing landscape in the immuno-oncology field.
"Through partnerships, new possibilities arise. We are committed to ensure further progress and to give new hope to patients, families and relatives, today and tomorrow. All together, we are 'InventingforLife'", concluded Dr. Lang.
About World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is held annually on February 4th and aims to raise public awareness of the prevention, research and treatment of cancer. 2020 marks the midway point of the 3-year 'I Am and I Will' campaign. 'I Am and I Will' is an empowering call-to-action urging for personal commitment and represents the power of individual action taken now to impact the future. For more information about this campaign, visit www.worldcancerday.org .
References
1) Prescribing information of KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), www.swissmedicinfo.ch , last accessed on January 30, 2020
About MSD in Switzerland:
The field of human medicine in Switzerland is responsible for selling drugs and biopharmaceuticals available only on prescription in the therapy areas of oncology, diabetes, cardiovascular, infectious diseases (amongst others, fungus infections, antibiotic resistances, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C), immunology, women's health as well as vaccines for children, adolescents and adults. In Switzerland, MSD conducts clinical research and manufactures drugs for worldwide clinical studies. MSD is also involved at its Lucerne location, among other things in the annual specialist event "Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern". In 2019, the Switzerland company received the certification "Top Employer" for the seventh time in a row as well as the award "Top Employer Europe" for the fourth time.
About MSD:
MSD is a protected name owned by Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, U.S.A. MSD is a leading global biopharmaceutical company that has been conducting research for life for over a century and develops drugs and vaccines to combat challenging diseases all over the world, including cancer, cardiovascular, Alzheimer's as well as infectious diseases including HIV and Ebola.
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© 2020 MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG, Werftestrasse 4, 6005 Lucerne. All rights reserved. CH-NON-00412, created 01/2020
Contact:
Media department MSD Switzerland
media.switzerland@merck.com | Tel. +41 58 618 30 30
Jean-Blaise Defago (Policy & Communications Director)