MSD and Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern (Lucerne Health Trend Days) are committed to aiding the further development of the health care system in Switzerland

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Lucerne, March 29, 2023 – The annual Lucerne Health Trend Days symposium was held across March 22 and 23 at Lucerne’s Culture and Convention Center (KKL Luzern). Through this event, the organizing association, Forum Gesundheit Luzern, is creating a national platform to facilitate the exchange of experiences and encourage attendees to form opinions on trends and perspectives in healthcare, and once again welcomed around 600 influencers and decision-makers in the areas of medicine, science, business and politics. This year’s event centered on the fascinating topic of “Psycho+Somatic: interactions between body and mind”. – MSD also believes it has a responsibility to focus on the health and wellbeing of its patients and employees.

As a leading biopharmaceutical company based in Lucerne, MSD Switzerland (Merck Sharp & Dohme AG) has supported the Lucerne Health Trend Days since 2013. In the words of Jean-Blaise Defago, Director Policy & Communications at MSD in Switzerland: “MSD has supported Lucerne Health Trend Days for many years as a principal partner, and has remained firmly committed to the region throughout its 60-year history in Lucerne. The central location and stable environment have been key in choosing the location of our site. MSD Switzerland would like to continue its tradition in Lucerne, and to that end, will merge three of the five MSD sites in future, bringing 650 jobs under one single address at our new, sustainable urban site in Lucerne’s Rösslimatt district.”
Gabriele Grom, Executive Director, Public Policy Lead, Mid-Europe Region at MSD, took part in this year’s panel discussion on mental health and wellbeing in a fast-paced business environment. The mental health and wellbeing of employees is of the utmost importance at MSD. The objective is to never lose sight of the goal of providing employees with the best possible working environment: one in which they can learn, grow and succeed, but also be given the opportunity to experience an error culture. This is also reflected in the fact that MSD has been awarded the “Top Employer” certification for the 11^th consecutive year.

Mens sana in corpore sano

This year’s debates and discussions centered around the fascinating topic of interactions between the psyche and the body. For example, the paradigm shift in psychosocial care, similarities and differences between psychosomatics and psychiatry, digital interventions for mental illness and how the brain turns stress into pain were all explored during fascinating expert presentations and roundtable discussions.

4 Questions for Gabriele Grom, mag., Executive Director, Public Policy Lead, Mid-Europe Region at MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme)

Mental health and wellbeing are central to a company like MSD that focuses on people’s health. What does MSD provide as a means to care for its employees’ wellbeing?

Gabriele Grom: Our employees’ mental health and wellbeing is a top priority at MSD. That’s why we offer our staff a range of programmes in different areas.

At the onset of the COVID pandemic, for example, MSD introduced a new policy that gives employees and managers in Switzerland full flexibility over how much and how often they work away from the office (such as working from home and remote working).
We also hold workshops on psychological safety as a way to help create a high-trust working environment.
At MSD Switzerland, all new parents have been able to take 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave since 2020, irrespective of their gender, within the first twelve months after adopting a child or welcoming a newborn.
All our employees worldwide also have free, unlimited access to the Calm app, which offers a wealth of tips and fascinating information about mental health.

“Our employees’ mental health and wellbeing is a top priority at MSD.”
Gabriele Grom

“Diversity” and “inclusion” are integral in today’s society. How can one imagine this as an outsider?

Gabriele Grom: Increased “employee engagement”, improved economic success and greater innovative strength are just a few positive aspects of having a diverse workforce. MSD is actively committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. One of the ways which we’re doing this is through our internal networks such as the Womenʼs Network, Next Generation Network, LGBTQI Network and the Network for Employees of African Descent. These initiatives are key milestones on the way toward a better working environment for all MSD employees in Switzerland. and illustrate our company’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing. MSD was also honored to receive the Swiss LGBTI Label in 2021, a certification awarded to companies and organizations with an open and inclusive culture.

“MSD’s internal networks, such as the Women’s Network, represent the company’s values and beliefs, and are designed to help employees achieve the best possible balance between personal life and career.”
Gabriele Grom

Does MSD also have an “error culture”? How do you deal with setbacks?

Gabriele Grom: Yes, we have and encourage an “error culture” at MSD. As a company, we want to continue to develop in order to improve. This also includes acknowledging mistakes, analyzing them and learning from them. With this in mind, we’d also like to challenge our employees to blaze new trails and find innovative solutions. To motivate employees to share mistakes with others and see them in a positive light, we’ve created what we call “error awards” in many countries.

How would MSD like to be perceived as a pharmaceutical company?

Gabriele Grom: MSD’s Swiss subsidiary, which has its headquarters in Lucerne, is one of the most important MSD sites in Europe. MSD isn’t just an innovative biopharmaceutical company; it’s also an active partner and committed player in the Swiss healthcare system. MSD Switzerland makes an important contribution to the prevention of and education about diseases, and is also involved in the Health Literacy Alliance and its sponsorship awards, which are awarded every two years. As a member of the Round Table on Antibiotics, the company is committed to incentivizing and providing access to new antibiotic treatments. MSD is a principal partner in various platforms designed to facilitate exchange regarding healthcare policy, including the Lucerne Health Trend Days and Race for Life.

Thank you very much for this interview.

Gabriele Grom, Executive Director, Public Policy Lead Mid-Europe Region at MSD, graduated from the University of Tübingen with a degree in Pharmacy and has worked for MSD for 28 years. Prior to joining the global marketing organization in the United States in 2014, she worked in various marketing and sales positions. After returning from the U.S., she became Managing Director of MSD Hungary and headed MSD Austria from 2009, after which Gabriele became Cluster lead for Central Eastern Europe. She also served as Chair and Vice Chair of the EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) CEE Task Force from 2018 to 2021. In 2016, she was appointed Chair of the Supervisory Board of MSD Germany, and is also an Executive Ambassador for MSD for Mothers on issues regarding diversity and inclusion at both in-house and external events.

As principal partner of the Lucerne Health Trend Days, MSD would like to continue to look ahead at the future challenges and opportunities in the debate and make a sustainable contribution to the further development of the Swiss healthcare system.

About MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme

At MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.msd.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland

In Switzerland, MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme employs around 1,000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At our site in Zurich, in “The Circle”, we operate the newly opened global innovation and development hub. Our main therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, and diabetes. We also operate a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults. Switzerland is part of MSD’s global clinical research program with more than 30 clinical trials annually. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture drugs for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. MSD also takes local responsibility for the community and has been involved in the “Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern” and the Alliance Health competence. In 2023, MSD received the “Top Employer Switzerland” award for the eleventh time in a row.

For more information, please visit msd.ch, de.msd-animal-health.ch and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

More information

Weitere Informationen:

MSD Schweiz (Merck Sharp & Dohme AG), www.msd.ch
Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern, www.trendtage-gesundheit.ch
Allianz Gesundheitskompetenz, www.allianz-gesundheitskompetenz.ch

Media department MSD Switzerland

Jean-Blaise Defago (Policy & Communications Director)

media.switzerland@msd.com | Tel. 058 618 30 30

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Second Cancer Care Survey of Switzerland Shows: Early Detection and Treatment Majorly Significant

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March 7, 2023 – For the second time now, research institute gfs.bern was commissioned by MSD Switzerland to carry out a representative survey of the population regarding the quality of cancer care in Switzerland. The survey was distributed to around 100 people who currently have, or have had, cancer. The topics of early detection and early treatment of cancer were rated important to very important by over 90% of survey participants. The comparison with the first survey also shows that after two years of pandemic, cancer care has resumed normal operations, with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments up by around 20–25% as compared with the previous year. What’s interesting is that a consistent, national cancer strategy received positive feedback from 84% of participants.

According to the MSD Cancer Care Survey, carried out by gfs.bern for the second time now,
gaps in the provision of cancer care were closed again in 2022. General satisfaction with Swiss
cancer care remains high, which is testament to the high quality of our cancer care system.
1,258 people from all over Switzerland took part in the survey, which was provided in three
languages (German, French, Italian) – either over the phone or online.
Top Results for Hospital Care, Drug and Therapy Provision
Even if interest in health policy is no longer as high as it was last year in Switzerland, it is still
very high at 75% (strong interest or very strong interest). As a result, the quality of cancer care
in Switzerland is rated as exceptional. Above all, hospital care, medication and other therapies
are ranked as very good. Only 4% of respondents thought that cancer care was bad or very
bad.

Improvements Required in Speed, Coordination and Support

If we take a closer look at the different elements involved in cancer care, however, there is
certainly room for improvement for various aspects and interfaces. For example, delays
relating to diagnosis, finding specialists and starting therapy were criticized by around 20 to
25% of survey participants. The coordination of various service providers involved with cancer
care and inpatient and outpatient rehab (such as “Spitex” home care services) were only rated
“Good” or higher by about half of respondents. Bringing up the rear with positive responses
from around 45% of participants were the areas of psychological support for people with
cancer and their relatives, support outside of medical care (e.g. professional, legal, familyrelated
matters), and support for relatives acting as caregivers.

Deficiencies in Early Detection, Prevention and Aftercare

Around 100 people (approx. 8%) responding to the survey were affected directly (at the time
of the survey or previously). People with a history of cancer stated that they followed the
treatment guidelines and that they would follow the same treatment regimen again if they
had the choice. They would have been happier if their cancer had been discovered earlier,
however, and if they had received more information about cancer prevention. There was also
some criticism for the coordination of the various actors involved in cancer care, for nonmedical
services and for the support of caregivers. In terms of the person’s individual
difficulties, the physical and psychological impact and a lack of quality of life were mentioned.
It is, therefore, all the more important that Switzerland provides more support in terms of life
after cancer – particularly given the growing population of cancer survivors.

Desire for a National Cancer Strategy

The majority of participants favored a national cancer strategy: 84% would definitely or
probably vote “Yes” if asked. The most commonly cited arguments in favor are – reflecting the
results of the 2021 survey – that Switzerland requires more coordination in the fight against
cancer, and that the prevention and early detection of cancer are also more economic over
the long term. For those affected, it is also important that not every cancer patient has specific
problems. A consistent national strategy would therefore help everyone affected.

(*) MSD Krebsversorgungsmonitor 2022, Krebsversorgung Schweiz: Mehr Koordination gewünscht. gfs.bern. [MSD Cancer Care Survey 2022, Cancer Care in Switzerland: More Coordination Required.] December 2022. Download the full report at: https://cockpit.gfsbern.ch/de/cockpit/krebsversorgungsmonitor-2022/ Also available upon request from the Media Spokesperson below.

gfs.bern Research Institute

The research institute that bears overall responsibility for the survey, gfs.bern ag, can draw on a long tradition of empirical social research. Founded in 1959 as the Gesellschaft zur Förderung der empirischen Sozialforschung der Schweiz (GfS), it started operating as a separate business unit of GfS-Forschungsinstitut AG from 1986 with the aim of conducting social empirical research with a focus on politics and communication research. The unit became its own company in 2004 as gfs.bern ag. gfs.bern sees itself as a methodical, full-service provider with clear areas of specialism. The company’s market presence aims to achieve quality leadership in applied social research (in concrete terms: survey research with face-to-face, phone, online, and written interviews) and has been able to maintain this advantage in analysis to political opinion-forming processes for around 20 years. As such, gfs.bern has played a pivotal role in shaping empirical social research in terms of social policy and democratic decision-making processes in Switzerland. gfs.bern also has many years of experience in monitoring politics and policy processes. Holding teaching positions at the universities of Zürich, Berne and Fribourg, as well as at various higher education institutes, means we can contribute our findings to the world of education and to reflect upon our own work in an academic setting. For more information, please visit www.gfsbern.ch.

Media spokesperson gfs.bern

Lukas Golder Co-Head gfs.bern

lukas.golder@gfsbern.ch | Phone +41-31-311-6210

MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland

In Switzerland, MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme employs around 1,000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At our site in Zurich, in “The Circle”, we operate the newly opened global innovation and development hub. Our main therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, and diabetes. We also operate a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults. Switzerland is part of MSD’s global clinical research program with more than 30 clinical trials annually. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture drugs for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. MSD also takes local responsibility for the community and has been involved in the “Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern” and the Alliance Health competence. In 2022, MSD received the “Top Employer Switzerland” award for the tenth time in a row.

For more information, please visit msd.ch, de.msd-animal-health.ch and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Media contact

Dr. phil. Caroline Hobi

Associate Director Policy & Communications

caroline.hobi@msd.com | tel. +41 76 511 93 59

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The Health Literacy Alliance rewards innovative approaches to promoting health literacy

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Bern, March 7, 2023. The Health Literacy Alliance supports innovative projects for improving health literacy in Switzerland. To this end, it awards a range of prizes every two years.
The main prize, sponsored by MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme, goes to the project “Ado Academy (Académie des Pairs) of the Ado Association in Fribourg”. The projects “Oral Tumor Therapy” of the Oral Tumor Therapy Association and “Symptom Navi Program (SNP)” of the Swiss Association for the Promotion of Self-Management (VFSM) have been awarded joint first prize for achievement. The second prize for achievement has been awarded to the project “First-aid lessons for mental health in children and adolescents (ensa Teens Pilot)” of Pro Mente Sana.

The health literacy award ceremony was held on March 7, 2023, at the Health Promotion Conference in Bern. An international jury of thirteen experts in the fields of service provision, health policy, public administration, and research selected the following three projects from the dossiers that were submitted:

The main prize of CHF 13,000, sponsored by MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme, goes to the project “Ado Academy (Académie des Pairs) of the Ado Association in Fribourg”:
The main goal of this project is to prevent and reduce risk-taking behavior among peers in the same age group during parties. The measures aim to provide quality guidance to attendees of such events by implementing a range of projects tailored to the needs identified at such events. In particular, the measures have three priorities: event supervision, training for those in charge of prevention, and working together with a network of social-health providers who are committed to specific prevention topics.
Further information: Association AdO (association-ado.ch)

The projects “Oral Tumor Therapy” of the Oral Tumor Therapy Association and “Symptom Navi Program (SNP)” of the Swiss Association for the Promotion of Self-Management (VFSM) have been awarded joint first prize for achievement.
The “Oral Tumor Therapy” Association develops approaches for specialists to enable their patients to take medication against tumors more effectively in accordance with the prescription. This is intended to strengthen and improve the skills and abilities of patients and caregivers for managing their situation independently, while at the same time improving the individual information and advice that patients receive from their doctors, nursing staff and pharmacists.
Further information: Oral tumor therapy

The “Symptom Navi Program (SNP)” project supports all cancer patients in Switzerland in coping with their illness and the consequences of treatment. It includes symptom fliers for those affected: Information on managing the symptoms of cancer as well as a concept for training specialists, thus supporting collaboration among cancer patients and specialists along the entire care chain.
Further information: symptomnavi.ch

The second prize for achievement goes to the project “First-aid lessons for mental health in children and adolescents (ensa Teens Pilot)” of Pro Mente Sana:
The mental health first-aid course for teens aims to improve mental health literacy among all teenage groups by reducing stigmatizing behaviors and attitudes that often prevent young people from gaining access to the help and support they may need. Adolescents recognize mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety) and mental health crises (e.g., suicidal tendencies, self-harm) among members of their peer group and know how to support each other appropriately by consulting a trusted adult who is trained in providing first aid on mental health issues among young people.
Further information: ensa – Home

About the Health Literacy Alliance

Health literacy refers to individuals’ ability to make decisions in everyday life that have a positive effect on their health. As a platform, the Health Literacy Alliance connects decision-makers in health care, science, education, politics, business and the media to promote health literacy in Switzerland. It was founded in 2010 by Public Health Switzerland, Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz (Health Promotion Switzerland), the Careum Foundation, the Association of Swiss Physicians FMH, and MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme.

Further information: www.allianz-gesundheitskompetenz.ch

Contact:

Allianz Gesundheitskompetenz

Barbara Weil

C/o FMH, Nussbaumstrasse 29, Postfach 300, 3000 Bern 15

Phone: +41 76 413 63 16, info@allianz-gesundheitskompetenz.ch

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Partnership Between MSD Switzerland and Madame Frigo

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Lucerne, February 21, 2023 – MSD Switzerland and Madame Frigo Join Forces to Fight Food Waste

In line with its commitment to sustainability, MSD Switzerland (Merck, Sharp & Dohme AG), which has offices in Lucerne and Zürich, is teaming up with non-profit organization Madame Frigo from 2023 to combat food waste. MSD Switzerland will primarily be supporting the running of two public fridges (frigos) in the city of Lucerne.

According to estimates, 250 grams of food are thrown out per person every day in Switzerland.

That equates to a plate of spaghetti every day. Food waste not only includes food itself, but also all the resources used to produce it, such as farmland, water, fossil fuels, and electricity. Numerous resources have already been consumed before the food even makes it into our homes. This means the waste is even greater when valuable food in our homes ends up in the trash instead of on our table. Food waste is responsible for around a quarter of environmental pollution caused by the food system across Switzerland.

In order to save as much of this food as possible from being thrown away early, Madame Frigo has been setting up public fridges (frigos) in various Swiss cities since 2015. They serve as free sharing platforms for food, which would otherwise have ended up going to waste. The company has over 100 fridges, which are set up and managed by volunteer helpers who between them volunteer more than 20,000 hours of their time each year. As a result, a total of over 150 metric tonnes of still-edible food is estimated to have been saved in the past year. Along with many private individuals, the work of Madame Frigo is supported by strong partners.

Our dietary habits not only influence our personal health, but they also have a direct impact on the environment and our society. Having a sustainable diet therefore not only means looking after your health, but it also means making an effort to handle food in an environmentally friendly manner, with a view to saving resources.

MSD not only sees it as its obligation to find innovative solutions for health problems around the world, but also to take responsibility for the environment, society, and its employees in line with a global Corporate Responsibility approach. – MSD Switzerland has therefore been part of Madame Frigo’s partner network to combat food waste since January 2023.

As a partner for the two fridges at the locations at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts/HSLU (address: Werftestrasse 1, 6005 Lucerne) and in the Tribschen district (address: Anna-Neumann-Gasse 5, 6005 Lucerne), MSD is supporting the work of Madame Frigo in the city of Lucerne, with the aim being to save as much food as possible from going to waste. As well as directly supporting the fridge locations, the aim is also to raise awareness among the employees of MSD Switzerland. The partnership between MSD Switzerland and Madame Frigo thus contributes to more sustainable behavior with food in the long term.

Table not trash:
Many thanks to everyone who takes action to help reduce food waste!

Your support is welcome!
Would you like to set up and manage a community fridge on your property or in your district? If so, then send your proposal to info@madamefrigo.ch

MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland:

In Switzerland, MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme employs around 1,000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At our site in Zurich, in “The Circle”, we operate the newly opened global innovation and development hub. Our main therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, and diabetes. We also operate a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults. Switzerland is part of MSD’s global clinical research program with more than 43 clinical trials annually. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture drugs for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. MSD also takes local responsibility for the community and has been involved in the «Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern» and the «Alliance Health competence». In 2023, MSD received the «Top Employer Switzerland» award for the eleventh time in a row.

For more information, please visit msd.ch, de.msd-animal-health.ch and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

About Madame Frigo:

Madame Frigo is a non-profit organization that is working to combat food waste in Switzerland and promotes adopting a more conscious approach to food in private households. In order to achieve this, Madame Frigo provides public fridges to the Swiss population for sharing food. The organization currently provides over 100 fridges, which are set up and managed by volunteer helpers. At the same time, we implement various measures to raise awareness on the topic of food waste and take part in events and campaigns.

Media department MSD Switzerland

Jean-Blaise Defago (Policy & Communications Director)

media.switzerland@merck.com | Tel. 058 618 30 30

Madame Frigo

Marilen Zosso, Management Madame Frigo, +41 41 521 32 20

marilen.zosso@madamefrigo.ch

MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG I Werftestrasse 4 I CH-6005 Luzern

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MSD Switzerland appoints Dimitri Gitas as new Managing Director

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Lucerne, February 1, 2023 – MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme AG) Switzerland appoints Dimitri Gitas as Managing Director taking over from Ans Heirman who joins Merck & Co in the US to assume a global role.

“I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity lead the MSD Switzerland organization. I am looking forward to achieving our strategic ambitions in Switzerland, focusing on continuous innovation across all areas of our business.”

Dimitri Gitas – Managing Director, MSD Switzerland

Dimitri Gitas (see picture) has been with MSD since 2004 holding various positions in global, regional, and local commercial roles. Most recently, he was Managing Director of MSD Poland, leading the Polish team to new heights and obtaining a very strong presence in the Polish market. Over the last two years, Dimitri played a strong role in enhancing MSD’s position as a leader and preferred partner in healthcare in Poland and was elected to both the Innovative Pharmaceutical Association Board and the Board of Directors of AMCHAM Poland. With his extensive experience he will be driving a strong growth strategy and continue to identify and unlock opportunities for Oncology, vaccines as well as continue the strong momentum in Immunology and the hospital and specialty portfolio in Switzerland.

“I am very excited to join MSD Switzerland and continue to strengthen our position by accelerating our pipeline and providing patients with fast access to modern therapies“ explains Dimitri Gitas. In addition to focusing on the growth strategy, the center of attention is on maintaining a strong corporate culture by investing in the success and well-being of employees. “Because our employees are our greatest asset, we empower and support them in their professional and personal lives offering development opportunities and we work to create an environment of mutual respect, inclusion and accountability.”

The Leadership Team thanks Ans Heirman for her commitment and wishes her and Dimitri all the best for their future endeavors within MSD.

About MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme

MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland

For more information, please visit msd.ch, de.msd-animal-health.ch and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Media department MSD Switzerland

Jean-Blaise Defago (Policy & Communications Director)

media.switzerland@merck.com | Tel. 058 618 30 30

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MSD once again receives the Top Employer Award

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Lucerne, January 17, 2023. The independent Top Employers Institute has awarded MSD Switzerland (Merck, Sharp & Dohme AG), a leading global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Lucerne and Zurich, the Top Employer Switzerland designation for the 11th consecutive year. The Top Employers Institute is the global leader in certifying outstanding employee conditions and annually certifies companies that put their employees first and offer an attractive working environment. Decisive for certification as a Top Employer is participation in a rigorous audit process – the Top Employers Institute’s international HR best practices survey – and meeting the required standards.

Decisive subject areas for election as Top Employer 2023

MSD Switzerland earned the Top Employer 2023 certification because its employee offerings exceeded required thresholds in all evaluated criteria.

MSD Switzerland is particularly proud of the results in the areas of ethics, integrity and employee development (which takes into account performance, career opportunities, training and development), as well as the continued strong results in the area of Unity, where the areas of sustainability, diversity and inclusion were honored by the jury.

As was the case last year, the 2023 ratings in the areas of employee engagement (which takes into account employee well-being), as well as recognition and reward, were above average. Another top performer in the MSD Switzerland assessment were the areas of: Attracting Talent, Work Environment, and Digital Working.

Receiving the Top Employer award

On January 17, 2023, representatives from MSD Switzerland will receive the official award at a virtual ceremony hosted by the Top Employers Institute. David Plink, CEO of the Top Employers Institute, emphasizes: “Exceptional times bring out the best in people and organizations. And we have witnessed this in our Top Employers Certification Program this year: exceptional performance from the certified Top Employers 2023. These employers have always shown that they care for the development and well-being of their people. By doing so, they collectively enrich the world of work. We are proud to announce and celebrate this year’s group of leading people-oriented employers: the Top Employers 2023.”

Employee benefits

Since 2020, all new parents, within the first twelve months of the birth or adoption of a child, regardless of gender, receive 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave. This is one of the most generous and inclusive provisions in all of Switzerland, where only two weeks of parental leave is required by law. In the same year, MSD introduced a new arrangement that gives employees and managers full flexibility over the amount and frequency of remote work. MSD is also investing heavily in digitalization in the workplace, presenting itself as an even more agile company with a stronger focus on growth and training and development.

Diversity and inclusion

MSD actively promotes diversity and inclusion, for example with various internal networks such as the Womenʼs Network, the Next Generation Network, the LGBTQI Network and the Network for Employees of African Origin. Furthermore, MSD intends to initiate additional networks.

The aforementioned initiatives are important milestones on the way to an ever better offering for all MSD employees in Switzerland. They demonstrate MSD’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and well-being. More importantly, they represent the company’s values and its belief in how to achieve the best balance between private life, family and career.

About Top Employer

The Top Employers Institute is the global leader in certifying outstanding employee conditions. The Institute enriches the world of work by developing effective employee strategies. The certification program enables participating companies to be certified and recognized as an employer of choice. Founded over 25 years ago, the Top Employers Institute has certified over 1ʼ600 companies in 119 countries and regions. These certified companies positively impact the lives of over 6.9 million employees worldwide. Decisive factors for the Top Employer Award are above-average ratings in the areas of human resources management, compensation and social security, career opportunities, working conditions, training and development, and corporate culture. Only companies with above-average performance in all these areas are awarded the Top Employer seal of approval.

Further information

– Top Employers Institute

– MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme AG) Switzerland

About MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme

MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland

In Switzerland, MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme employs around 1,000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At our site in Zurich, in “The Circle”, we operate the newly opened global innovation and development hub. Our main therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, and diabetes. We also operate a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults. Switzerland is part of MSD’s global clinical research program with more than 30 clinical trials annually. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture drugs for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. MSD also takes local responsibility for the community and has been involved in the “Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern” and the Alliance Health competence. In 2022, MSD received the “Top Employer Switzerland” award for the tenth time in a row.

For more information, please visit msd.ch, de.msd-animal-health.ch and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Media department MSD Switzerland

Jean-Blaise Defago (Policy & Communications Director)

media.switzerland@merck.com | Tel. 058 618 30 30

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Ground-breaking ceremony for the Rösslimatt Quarter: MSD is pleased to announce the start of construction of its new site in Lucerne

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Lucerne, 7 September 2022 – MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) group Switzerland celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for the new quarter on the Rösslimatt site in Lucerne today with SBB and partners. After completion, 650 employees from three of the five MSD Switzerland branches will be working there. The modern premises are designed to promote integrated, sustainable working practices and synergies.

MSD is pleased to participate in today’s kick-off for the construction of the centrally located Rösslimatt Quarter, which is being built near the railway station, next to the new location of the Lucerne University. On 15,000 m² of rented space, MSD will in future unite three of the five locations and thus 650 workstations, with an expansion option of up to 850 workstations, at a common address. With the move to the planned completion in 2025, MSD is consciously remaining loyal to Lucerne. The city and canton have supported MSD for around 60 years with a stable and reliable environment. This is a valuable prerequisite for achieving the company’s goal of using leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the globe.

Thus, with the move, MSD is not only relying on new impulses for even more intensive cross-team collaboration, but also on the expansion of existing synergies. “At MSD, the ways of working are anchored in the corporate strategy,” explains Dr. Ans Heirman, Managing Director of MSD Switzerland, “Rösslimatt, with its modern space concept, will enable us to really live these in our everyday work life – for example, agile, hybrid, team-based working. The new headquarters for the Swiss and regional business also strengthens our image as a top employer in Lucerne and far beyond the region and is expected to attract more curious, innovative minds”, continues Heirman.

An important aspect in the decision to move into the new location is also the aspect of sustainability. MSD wants to create a safe, sustainable and healthy future for people and the community through a sense of responsibility. It is therefore significant that “Rösslimatt” is certified, among other things, as a “2000-watt site under development” and is thus committed to an enormously high sustainability standard that extends over the entire life cycle of the project from planning, through construction, to operation. For MSD, in addition to sustainable real estate management during construction, the optimization of resource use at the workplace and energy-saving and environmentally friendly mobility after occupation of the future site also play a key role. Thanks to the optimal connection to the train station and the city center, the best conditions are given here.

The Rösslimatt site is intended to function as a hub of science, research and creativity. “We are convinced that in the future there will be a variety of synergies beyond the boundaries of the company. We are delighted that MSD will be moving into the heart of the Rösslimatt quarter and thus becoming part of this innovative and vibrant area,” said Fabian Peter, Head of the Department of Construction, Environment and Economic Affairs.

About MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme

MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland

In Switzerland, MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme employs around 1,000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At our site in Zurich, in “The Circle”, we operate the newly opened global innovation and development hub. Our main therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, and diabetes. We also operate a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults. Switzerland is part of MSD’s global clinical research program with more than 30 clinical trials annually. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture drugs for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. MSD also takes local responsibility for the community and has been involved in the “Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern” and the Alliance Health competence. In 2022, MSD received the “Top Employer Switzerland” award for the tenth time in a row.

For more information, please visit msd.ch, de.msd-animal-health.ch and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Media department MSD Switzerland

Jean-Blaise Defago (Policy & Communications Director)

media.switzerland@msd.com | Tel. 058 618 30 30

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MSD is proud Cooperation Partner of the Zurich Pride

Zurich Pride will take place on 17.6 and 18.6. The LGBTIQ* festival attracts thousands of supporters and friends of the LGBTIQ* community to Zurich every year. MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme is involved as a Cooperation Partner.

The slogan for this year’s Zurich Pride, the largest event of the Swiss LGBTIQ* community, is “trans – living diversity”. For the first time in the history of Zurich Pride, the focus will be on the legal situation and challenges of trans people.

The association “Zurich Pride Festival” promotes and demands acceptance as well as equality of the LGBTIQ* way of life in public and in everyday life. The highlight of the Zurich Pride Festival is the traditional demonstration parade through downtown Zurich. This is intended to draw the attention of the population to the political and social concerns of LGBTIQ*.

“Diversity and inclusion are essential and daily lived values for MSD, therefore we are especially happy to support Zurich Pride as a cooperation partner” Phillipe Zaoui, Brand & Customer Manager Hospital Acute Care and Rainbow Alliance Lead, MSD Switzerland.

Diversity & Inclusion

Over the past five years, we have strengthened our commitment to making diversity and inclusion (D&I) a central strategy for business growth. At MSD Switzerland we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce inspires innovation and is fundamental to our company’s success. While there has been great progress when it comes to LGBTIQ* rights, more work needs to be done — and we’re proud to play an important role in promoting diversity and inclusion. MSD has a longstanding tradition of supporting the LGBTIQ* community, in our company and beyond. Having an environment comprised of people from different dimensions of diversity also helps us better understand the unique needs of the patients, customers, and health care providers we serve.

About MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme

MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland

In Switzerland, MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme employs around 1,000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At our site in Zurich, in “The Circle”, we operate the newly opened global innovation and development hub. Our main therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, and diabetes. We also operate a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults. Switzerland is part of MSD’s global clinical research program with more than 30 clinical trials annually. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture drugs for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. MSD also takes local responsibility for the community and has been involved in the “Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern” and the Alliance Health competence. In 2022, MSD received the “Top Employer Switzerland” award for the tenth time in a row.

For more information, please visit msd.ch, de.msd-animal-health.ch and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

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Survey on cancer care in Switzerland: Good Ratings – But Some Work To Do

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In collaboration with the research institute gfs.bern, MSD Switzerland has conducted the first ever representative survey of the population on the quality of cancer care in Switzerland. On the one hand, the survey found that the care situation is assessed as being good to very good – especially by cancer sufferers themselves. On the other hand, there is a definite need for action in the areas of prevention, early detection as well as psychological care during and after the disease.

Swiss citizens take a keen interest in the nation’s health policy. According to the new survey, 80 percent of the population are interested in health issues. Some 1,500 people from all over Switzerland participated in the representative survey commissioned by MSD and conducted for the first time by gfs.bern. Its key finding was that the quality of care for cancer patients is considered good or very good by almost 90 percent of the population.

Good to very good ratings for cancer care

Over 40,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Switzerland every year. At the same time, fewer people are dying from malignant tumours than in the past¹. In other words, there are more and more people in Switzerland who are living with cancer or have overcome the disease. In the present survey, 95 percent of those affected by cancer themselves rated their care situation as good, very good or excellent – and thus even better than the other respondents. The main reasons for this are the good healthcare system in Switzerland, the wide range of services, the good care provided by staff, the quality of facilities, access to treatment and the unproblematic exchange of information. For instance, the medical and nursing care in hospitals is rated positively among the entirety of respondents (around 80%), and a large majority is also satisfied with the drug therapy provided. Only a few respondents criticised the therapies or the quality of care.

The cancer sufferers themselves assign the greatest importance to the support of relatives and to specialists (84% each). Hospital care (78%), general practitioners (70%) and health insurance companies (66%) are also very important for patients in terms of care and information, followed by conversations with other patients (47%), the Swiss Cancer League (34%), psychologists (31%), Spitex (29%), psychiatrists (23%), self-help organisations (22%) and patient organisations (19%).

The enormous amount of effort that goes into researching tumour diseases is also appreciated by Swiss citizens. In the survey, for example, a clear majority of 57 percent believe that good progress has been made in cancer research in the last five years; only a quarter of all participants believe that there have been no or hardly any new scientific findings in the recent past. More than half of the respondents are also optimistic that tumour diseases will be completely curable in the future.

Room for improvement in cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and aftercare

Nevertheless, the survey also reveals clearly that on closer inspection there is still a definite need for action. Among all respondents, about 15 percent each were dissatisfied with early cancer detection and cancer prevention. Almost a quarter would also welcome better psychological support. Among those actually suffering from cancer, 47 percent would have been glad if their tumour had been discovered earlier. In addition, 36 percent would have liked to be given prevention information earlier. Many have to deal with physical, psychological and economic consequences for years to come. Thus 46 percent of those currently ill are suffering from the physical consequences and about one-third from a reduced quality of life. Even among former sufferers, the loss of quality of life and the psychological consequences are still felt by 25 to 30 percent. And yet the next of kin struggle with such repercussions even more than the patients themselves: 10 percent have the dramatic feeling that the cancer has destroyed their lives. Of those currently dealing with cancer or who have previously had it, more than half consider it the most defining event in their lives, but 24 percent believe that the disease has given them a “second chance at life”.

Through this extensive survey of the population, a representative picture of the quality of care for cancer patients in Switzerland was obtained for the first time. On the one hand, it brought out the very high acceptance of the current care provision, but on the other, it allowed weaknesses to be identified in areas such as prevention, early detection and psychological care.

Reference

Swiss Cancer Report 2021 https://dam-api.bfs.admin.ch/hub/api/dam/assets/19305696/master

The survey

For the representative survey on cancer patient care commissioned by MSD and conducted by gfs.bern, 1,510 randomly selected people throughout Switzerland were surveyed in detail by online questionnaire or telephone interview at the end of last year (November/December 2021). Three-quarters of the respondents stated that a person close to them or at least someone they know had been or was currently affected by cancer. A total of eleven percent (136 people) had personal experience with cancer themselves, and three percent were suffering from cancer at the time of the survey. The patients had undergone surgery (76%), chemotherapy (32%), radiotherapy (29%), targeted therapy (18%), hormone therapy (15%), alternative therapy (14%) or immunotherapy (11%).

Research institute gfs.bern

The research institute gfs.bern ag, which has overall responsibility for the survey, has an extremely long track record in empirical social research. Founded in 1959 as the Society for the Promotion of Empirical Social Research in Switzerland (GfS), it has been conducting socio-empirical research with a focus on political and communication research since 1986 as a separate division of GfS-Forschungsinstitut AG and since 2004 under its own name gfs.bern ag.

gfs.bern sees itself as a methodological full-service provider with proven specialities in relation to content. With respect to its market presence, the company aspires to quality leadership in the field of applied social research (specifically survey research with face-to-face, telephone, online and written interviews), and has successfully maintained this lead in the analysis of political opinion-forming processes for some 20 years. gfs.bern has played a key role in shaping empirical social research on socio-political and direct-democratic decision-making processes in Switzerland. gfs.bern also has many years’ experience in monitoring political and policy processes. Current teaching assignments at the Universities of Zurich, Berne, and Fribourg as well as at various universities of applied sciences help the company to make the knowledge thus gained available in education and to regularly engage in scientific reflection on their own work. For further information, see www.gfsbern.ch.

Media contact gfs.bern

Lukas Golder

Co-Director gfs.bern

lukas.golder@gfs.bern

MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland

In Switzerland, MSD employs around 1,000 people at five locations in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At our premises in Zurich, in “The Circle”, we operate the newly opened global innovation and development hub. Our main therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, immunology and diabetes. We also have a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents and adults. MSD has one of the largest clinical research programmes, and Switzerland participates with more than 30 clinical trials annually. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture medicines for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. MSD also assumes local responsibility for the community and has been involved for years in the “Trend Days Health Lucerne” and in the Alliance for Health Literacy, among other things. In 2022, MSD received the “Top Employer Switzerland” award for the tenth time in a row. For more information, please visit us at msd.ch, en.msd-animal-health.ch and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Media contact MSD Switzerland

Dr. phil. Caroline Hobi

Associate Director – Policy & Communications

caroline.hobi@msd.com

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MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme Opens Global Innovation and Development Hub to ‘The Circle’ in Zurich

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Zurich, December 9, 2021 – MSD Merck Sharp & Dohme AG known as Merck & Co, Inc, Kenilworth, N.J., USA in the United States and Canada (NYSE: MRK) – has opened the doors to its new Innovation and Development Hub in Zurich. The new MSD Zurich Hub at “The Circle” at Zurich Airport brings together more than 250 of MSD’s top R&D and marketing specialists from around the world.

MSD established a new globally-focused Innovation and Development Hub in Zurich, Switzerland, in line with its commitment to scientific excellence. The MSD Zurich Hub will further strengthen the company’s focus on innovative solutions for healthcare challenges using data processing, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Dr Dean Li, president of MSD Research Laboratories, says: “Zurich provides an exceptional academic and life sciences ecosystem. The new MSD Hub will be a unique place where teams from all over the world collaborate and innovate in pursuit of MSD’s mission to save and improve lives.”

The global innovation hub at “The Circle” is a state-of-the-art activity-based working environment that fosters cross-functional collaboration. It co-locates some of MSD’s global and regional functions including Analytics, Biostatistics, Clinical Data Management, Data Science, Health Care Technology Assessment, Market Access, Marketing, Medical and Scientific Affairs, Real-World Evidence.

MSD has been operating in Switzerland for close to 60 years with four locations based in the Canton of Luzern. MSD has contributed to the development of the Swiss bio-pharmaceutical industry since 1963, when MSD first established its presence in Lucerne.

Today, MSD Switzerland employs around 1’000 people working in local, regional, and global functions in Human Health, Research and Development, Animal Health and Manufacturing.

“The Hub will be home to more than 250 people from a wide range of geographic backgrounds and functions, giving us the diversity of thought and experience required to continue to advance lifesaving solutions for patients,” said Frank Clyburn, executive vice president and president of Human Health for MSD.

The MSD Zurich Hub offices at The Circle have opened to employees at beginning of October 2021 in compliance with the applicable protective measures.

About MSD in Switzerland
MSD Switzerland employs over 1’000 people working in local, regional and global functions across four sites in the canton of Lucerne and one site in the canton of Zurich. Our business activities are subdivided in the two divisions, Human Health and Animal Health. MSD Human Health covers a broad range of biopharmaceuticals. Our areas of research and development are focusing on Oncology and Immuno-Oncology as well as Vaccines to prevent diseases for children, young people, and adults against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), Ebola, Hepatitis, Pneumococcus, Meningococcus, Measles, Rubella, Chickenpox and Herpes Zoster. In addition, MSD is conducting research in the area of infectious diseases to find new therapeutic approaches for antibiotic resistance, HIV/Aids and Hepatitis C. Further research focuses include Immunology (auto-immune diseases) as well as Diabetes. MSD has a long-lasting legacy in contributing to major public health challenges, such as River Blindness, Ebola and SARS-CoV-2.

MSD Animal Health develops and markets products for the prevention, treatment and control of disease in farm animals and pets. With the most innovative and largest product portfolio for animal health in Switzerland, MSD contributes substantially to animals’ well-being.

Our company has one of the largest clinical research programs worldwide. MSD Switzerland conducts 35 clinical trials per year for which the required medicines are manufactured at our research & development site in Schachen. The Schachen site operates since 2018 one of the three MSD forensic laboratories worldwide, investigating in manipulations and counterfeiting of MSD products – an important contribution to patient safety.

At the newly opened Zurich site “The Circle”, our company sets the focus on research & development, data management and the commercialization of our medicines and vaccines. The Zurich hub offers a state-of-the-art work environment where our empowered, culturally diverse and inclusive workforce focuses on scientific excellence to improve people’s health.

MSD Switzerland plays an active role in its community and supports a range of local and regional initiatives as for example MSD for mothers, the health congress “Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern”, and the Swiss City Marathon Lucerne. Since 2013, MSD Switzerland has been continuously certified as a Top Employer and is pioneering a gender-neutral parental leave program for employees.

For more information www.msd.ch, www.de.msd-animal-health.chFollow-us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

About MSD
For more than 130 years, MSD has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. MSD is a trade name of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Kenilworth, N.J., U.S.A. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, MSD continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals — including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases — as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world.

For more information, visit http://www.msd.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

MSD Switzerland
media.switzerland@merck.com | Tel. 058 618 30 30
Jean-Blaise Defago (Policy & Communications Director)

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