Ms. Merck China President Anna Tian: Ciie is innovation-oriented and cares for the lives and health of patients

Source: People's Daily News

"This year's CIIE provides a unique platform for Merck to showcase our past, present and future and our commitment to Chinese patients." On the occasion of the imminent opening of the 2021 Shanghai China Import Expo, Tian Anna, president of Merck China, who has just taken office this year, told People's Daily People's Health at the Shanghai headquarters that the theme of Merck's participation in this year's EXPO is "Enhancing Life - For Patients, for Health".

Actively practice social responsibility and care for the life and health of patients

It is understood that as an exhibitor of this year's Expo, Merck is ready. Tian Anna introduced that this year is the 130th anniversary of the establishment of MERCK Global, and next year will be the 30th anniversary of the establishment of MERCK China. So, at this year's Expo, Merck will be showing all its followers their past, present and future.

Since officially entering China in 1992, Merck has become increasingly closely linked to China's development. Today, China is one of Merck's most important markets in the world. Through the China-Merck Comprehensive AIDS Prevention and Control Project (c-map), Operation Shell - Say No to Cervical Cancer and the ongoing Merck Care for Mothers campaign, Merck has been working with the Chinese government and non-profit organizations to actively provide services for public health in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, women's and maternal health.

Deep ploughing professional field and actively adapting to the Chinese market

Like other multinational pharmaceutical companies, MERCK has been able to more easily introduce innovative products to the Chinese market thanks to the reform and acceleration of China's pharmaceutical regulatory policies. With the changes in China's pharmaceutical environment, the company has actively changed its strategy to adapt to the new situation in the Chinese market.

Between 2017 and September 2021, nearly 30 innovative products and new indications were approved in China. The National Health Insurance Directory (NRDL) and volume procurement (VBP) have improved patient accessibility while also bringing many changes to the overall environment.

"These initiatives are all about reaching more patients. Especially after the outbreak of the epidemic, the public's demand for personal health and public health awareness have greatly improved. So we need to do more to try and explore, not only among multinational pharmaceutical companies, but also with local companies and all parties to provide the best health solutions for patients. Tian Anna said.

She said that this year is the tenth year of successful cooperation between Merck and Chongqing Zhifei Bio. In the past decade, the two companies have joined hands to deepen the Chinese market and form a deep strategic partnership. Merck's innovative products and Zhifei's marketing network complement each other's strengths, using vaccines as an example to improve access to HPV vaccines for women, providing technical support for the development of related health areas.

"The access and accessibility of innovative medical products in the Chinese market has been greatly improved, which allows us to help more patients faster. Merck has been working in areas where it is professional and differentiated, hoping to bring more innovative products to China and benefit more patients. Tian Anna said.

Tian Anna also believes that the goal of "Healthy China 2030" is very clear, which is conducive to the planning of pharmaceutical companies in the areas that the government hopes to focus on, so as to better help the public. "I hope that Merck can play its part in the entire Chinese pharmaceutical ecosystem and become a trusted partner to optimize patient outcomes and improve access to drugs and vaccines." She said.

Tian Anna introduced that merck has been actively involved in the global epidemic prevention and anti-epidemic action, including fighting various influenza viruses, hepatitis B and C virus, hiv virus, etc., with science, innovation, professionalism and cooperation, to provide protection for the life and health of the majority of patients. In China, MERCK hopes to bring more innovative products that more people need through its professionalism and uniqueness.

Showcasing new products, new technologies The Expo is innovation-oriented

At the Expo, Merck will highlight its innovative achievements in the treatment of the new crown virus, hpillomavirus prevention, and tumor immunotherapy. Over the years, it has been a steady stream of R&D and product innovation that has enabled Merck to maintain rapid and sustained healthy development.

"Innovation is the foundation of our life." Anna Tian stressed that Merck is a leading global innovative biopharmaceutical company with the mission of "saving lives and improving quality of life", continuously promoting disease prevention and innovative treatment methods, relying on a robust R&D pipeline to meet patient needs.

She introduced that at this expo, Merck will also hold a number of cooperation, introduction activities and signing ceremonies, including working with the China Cancer Foundation to help improve the accessibility of HPV vaccines to women in remote areas of China, reduce the risk of cervical cancer, and fulfill the unchanged commitment to protecting public health.

"With the open platform of ciie, we will work with all partners to bring more high-quality innovative drugs, vaccines and digital health solutions to China for the benefit of more people." Tian Anna said.