The African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) Honors Merck & Co., Inc. with Global Corporate Philanth...( AMREF Founder Tom Rees Hon...),Health

AMREF Founder Tom Rees Honored with Humanitarian Award

NEW YORK, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) will bestow its annual Global Corporate Philanthropy Award on the research-driven pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., Inc., here tonight during its 50th anniversary gala. Also honored will be AMREF founder Dr. Thomas D. Rees for his life-time humanitarian achievements.

"For Merck, philanthropy is at the core part of its business strategy," said Professor Miriam Were, Chairperson of the International AMREF Board of Directors and former UNFPA/CSTAA Director in Ethiopia. "Merck is at the forefront of efforts to improve access to medicines for the poorest people in the developing world, from the Merck MECTIZAN Donation Program, to its involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We hope Merck's record of exemplary corporate citizenship will encourage other corporations to act likewise in helping to address the health and survival of women, men and children throughout Africa."

Merck and AMREF have worked together since 2004 to support HIV/AIDS prevention interventions among youth through training, information, education and communication tools together with teachers and village health committees. Through these interventions, AMREF and Merck are working to reduce stigma and discrimination against people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and to decrease HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Uganda.

"Merck is honored to be recognized for our philanthropic leadership by AMREF, with whom we share a strong commitment to creating sustainable health infrastructures in Africa," said Merck Chairman, President and CEO Richard T. Clark. "Improving access is about more than simply making our medicines and vaccines available. It requires a long-term view and a hands-on approach to health and other development challenges. It is our hope that through our efforts and those of our partners we will help identify and implem
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