... Across the globe, nearly 3 billion people -- almost half the world's population -- live on less than $2 a day. For many of these people, access to healthcare is an ongoing challenge. Of the 1.9 billion children in the developing world, there are 270 million with no access to health services. Every day, 30 thousand children die from malnourishment and disease.

For 50 years, the Merck Medical Outreach Program has helped address this worldwide health crisis by donating medicines and vaccines to nonprofit relief and development organizations, such as Medical Assistance Programs (MAP) International, that are working in the developing world to eliminate sickness and fight disease. MAP International, which operates healthcare clinics and programs throughout the developing world, has delivered hundreds of millions of dollars in medicines provided by Merck to clinics and hospitals in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

"Merck has been a tremendous partner in our mission to help the world's poorest communities," said Michael J. Nyenhuis, president and CEO of MAP International. "For years, Merck, like MAP, has been committed to helping people in impoverished countries who are unable to attain medical care. Together, Merck and MAP have saved lives."

Established in 1958, the Merck Medical Outreach Program is the primary means by which Merck & Co., Inc. donates its products to support ongoing humanitarian relief activities, disaster response and emergency situations worldwide. In 2007, through this program, Merck donated $125 million in medicines and vaccines through partnerships with nonprofit agencies to help patients in the developing world.

These donations supported health programs and provided disaster assistance to many regions around the globe, including Latin America. Since the year 2000, Merck and MAP have partnered to provide more than $40 million of medication for Latin America alone, where many people remain mired far below the poverty level.

Brenda Colatrella, executive director of Merck's Global Health Partnerships, acknowledged the important role MAP has played in the Merck Medical Outreach Program. "Since the program's inception, our goal has been to expand access to our medicines and vaccines to people in need," she said. "MAP is a trusted partner that we rely on as we work to meet that goal."