Merck’s Biopharmaceutical Innovations Transforming Healthcare in Indonesia
The healthcare industry in Indonesia is experiencing significant expansion as the government strives to provide quality health services across the country’s vast archipelago. Despite making great strides, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed flaws in the system, highlighting the need for continued improvement. Merck, a leading science and technology company, is at the forefront of transforming healthcare in Indonesia, with a focus on long-term partnership and a commitment to putting people above profit.
With a history spanning over 350 years, Merck has established itself as a family-owned business dedicated to making a positive impact on people’s lives. In Indonesia, the company believes that biopharmaceutical innovation is key to driving sustainable progress in the pharmaceutical sector. While the government prioritizes economic recovery, Merck emphasizes the importance of encouraging and incentivizing biopharmaceutical innovation, as an improved population health will ultimately enhance Indonesia’s competitiveness as an economy.
Hong Chow, head of China and international healthcare at Merck, expressed her motivation for driving change in the industry, stating, What motivates us is not selling more drugs but improving the health of people around the world. Merck’s approach prioritizes prevention and early diagnosis, exemplified by their disease awareness campaigns such as the RAISE Thyroid Program in Indonesia.
As a company that strives to create, improve, and prolong lives, Merck contributes to the healthcare of over 90 million patients worldwide annually. The company focuses on four core specialties: fertility, neurology and immunology, cardiometabolic and endocrinology, and oncology.
In the realm of fertility, Merck leads the market in hormone-based treatments, having supported the birth of over 5 million babies. Their unique offering includes recombinant versions of three natural hormones used for treating infertility, along with user-friendly, ready-to-use injection devices for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Merck also leverages scientific advancements and digitalization to enhance outcomes for assisted reproductive treatment (ART) patients, utilizing AI and robotics for improved embryo handling during IVF.
Merck recognizes the importance of addressing chronic diseases that may not be life-threatening on their own, but can lead to severe complications and disabilities. Conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, and cardiovascular diseases can significantly impact individuals’ lives. By implementing digitalization and raising awareness about thyroid disorders, Merck aims to improve the early detection and treatment of these conditions. In Indonesia, the prevalence of hypothyroidism is around 12.6 million, while hyperthyroidism affects around 13.4 million people. Unfortunately, the diagnosis and treatment rates for thyroid disorders in Indonesia are less than 2 percent, in stark contrast to developed markets like Germany, where the rates reach 70 percent.
To address this disparity, Merck has initiated the RAISE Thyroid Program, which aims to engage with approximately 52,000 healthcare professionals and extend thyroid disorder screenings to 3 million high-risk adults across 7,000 healthcare facilities in Indonesia.
Through their biopharmaceutical innovations and commitment to improving healthcare, Merck is playing a pivotal role in transforming the healthcare landscape in Indonesia. By prioritizing prevention, early diagnosis, and advancements in fertility and chronic disease treatment, the company is making a significant impact on the well-being of millions of people in the country. As the government continues its efforts to expand and enhance the healthcare system, partnerships with innovative companies like Merck will be crucial in achieving the goal of providing quality healthcare services to all Indonesians.
