Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, launched its 2010 global corporate responsibility report, which emphasizes the importance of discovering better ways of doing business to benefit both society and its business.
"Our world is changing rapidly. We recognize that expectations for companies like Merck are now higher than ever before," said Kenneth C. Frazier, president and CEO, Merck. "We, of course, need to continue to be both innovative and profitable, but need to do so in a way that protects the environment, supports communities, respects employees, and demonstrates ethical behavior."
The report covers Merck's corporate responsibility activities, progress, goals and performance during 2010 in four focus areas that the company identified as critical to our business: Access to Health, Environmental Sustainability, Employees, and Ethics and Transparency. It includes metrics related to each area of focus and announces a new set of key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used in the coming years to measure progress in each area of focus.
Merck continues to use several external reporting guidelines including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI 3.1) Guidelines, The Millennium Development Goals, the Access to Medicines Index, and the United Nations Global Compact Communication on Progress.
Discovering innovative solutions to some of the world's greatest health challenges
This year's report is themed "Discovering," highlighting Merck's commitment to discovering innovative solutions to some of the world's greatest health challenges.
- Access to Health: The report highlights Merck's efforts and performance in facilitating greater access to healthcare, particularly for underserved populations. In early 2011, Merck introduced a Statement of Guiding Principles to guide its worldwide approach to access to health; the principles outline specific goals to assure progress across Merck's business, from R&D and the supply chain, to commercialization and investment in local infrastructure.
- Environmental Sustainability: The report highlights the company's respect for the earth's resources with a commitment to discover environmentally sustainable ways to meet the world's health needs. It includes Merck's recently established environmental goals and a road map that will guide the company's progress, from reducing its environmental footprint in the short term, to transforming its entire value chain over the longer term.
- Employees: The report highlights the company's efforts to create a work environment that allows both its employees and its business to thrive. Merck is committed to supporting its employees by developing resources and opportunities that help employees grow professionally, helping to improve the health of its employees and their families, and encouraging them to get involved in their communities in ways that are meaningful.
- Ethics and Transparency: The report also reviews Merck's commitment to ethical behavior and transparent communications across its global business and how it is working to earn the trust of customers, patients and stakeholders critical to its business.
In addition to the comprehensive report at www.merckresponsibility.com, Merck has published an overview of its corporate responsibility approach and activities that, through profiles of employees and patients, brings to life its areas of focus and highlights various programs and partnerships that exemplify Merck's corporate responsibility commitments. The overview is available on Merck's corporate responsibility Web site; hard copies can be requested online.
About Merck
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships.