The FINANCIAL -- WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Sept. 13, 2011 – Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that it is contributing $3 million over three years to the Pink Ribbon-Red Ribbon initiative to help address both cervical and breast cancer in sub-Saharan African nations by supporting disease education, screening and treatment efforts as well as increased access to cervical cancer vaccination.

This contribution is in addition to Merck's commitment to support a national cervical cancer vaccination program in Tanzania, which will soon be initiated by the Ministry of Health. Merck is a founding corporate partner of the Pink Ribbon-Red Ribbon initiative.

"Helping to reduce the burden of cervical cancer is an important global priority and one that we should all care deeply about," said Julie L. Gerberding, president, Merck Vaccines. "Merck is proud to be a founding member of this ground breaking initiative that has the potential to help so many."

Pink Ribbon-Red Ribbon is a historic initiative that brings together Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the George W. Bush Institute, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), UNAIDS, the U.S. government and a number of corporate partners.

 The goal of Pink Ribbon-Red Ribbon is to help reduce the number of women in Africa impacted by cervical and breast cancer and help increase access to breast healthcare and clinical exams in a number of African nations. Beginning in sub-Saharan Africa, the program will leverage the significant investments already made in the HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases infrastructure to deliver resources that support disease education, screening and treatment efforts as well as increased access to cervical cancer vaccination.

Through this three-year partnership, Merck will work with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to support the launch and first phase of the program, which will raise awareness about the burden of breast and cervical cancer, mobilize additional program partners and donors, advocate for increased access to screening, treatment and cervical cancer vaccination as well as promote follow-up care among women in sub-Saharan Africa. There are plans for the program to be replicated in other countries after three years. In addition, Merck has committed to provide approximately 3.6 million doses of GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], at no cost, to the national cervical cancer vaccination program in Tanzania.

In the United States, GARDASIL is approved for use in girls and young women 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers caused by HPV types 16 and 18; genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11; and precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.

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