MERCK&CO (MSD) INTENDS TO EXPAND ITS STRATEGIC PRESENCE IN KAZAKHSTAN

At the Single Distributor site, a meeting was held with representatives of the international pharmaceutical company MSD, better known as Merck&Co, headed by General Director in the EAEU countries Mark Frey, Executive Director for Relations with Government Authorities and Communications Timur Alkhasov and Commercial Director Elena Makarova.

Representatives of the company spoke about the activities of the enterprise and expressed their intention to consider the possibility of cooperation and long-term partnership with Kazakhstan in expanding patient access to innovative drug therapy.

The head of the Single Distributor, Erkhat Iskaliev, in turn, greeted the meeting participants and expressed gratitude for the increased interest of the Russian side in cooperation with Kazakhstan in the field of drug supply.

Having studied the pharmaceutical market of Kazakhstan, initiatives were announced aimed at expanding access to innovative medicines in the country, including in the field of combating and preventing cancer.

MSD is considering the possibility of long-term cooperation and partnership, including the supply of the original drug “Keytruda” for residents of Kazakhstan.

"Keytruda" is an antitumor drug with the international nonproprietary name Pembrolizumab, registered in Kazakhstan. In addition, other oncological drugs produced by MSD are registered in the country, such as Gardasil® and Gardasil®9 - 4-valent and 9-valent vaccines, respectively, for the prevention of human papillomavirus.

We would like to remind you that in October of this year, at a meeting of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Comprehensive Plan to Combat Cancer Diseases for 2023–2027 was approved. The main objective of the plan is to reduce the incidence of cancer and increase the survival rate of cancer patients.

Oncological diseases are the leading cause of death in Kazakhstan. Over the past 20 years, the incidence of cancer in the country has increased by 25%. Currently, more than 205 thousand Kazakhstanis are under dynamic observation due to cancer. Thus, potential cooperation with our northern neighbors will have a positive impact in the fight against cancer.

Partnership with global manufacturers is one of the important directions of the state strategy. Chairman of the Board Erkhat Iskaliev spoke about the investment opportunities of Kazakhstan, the advantages of joint cooperation and the prospects for further partnership between the two countries.

In July of this year, the MRL website published a list of the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies in the United States that have made a significant contribution to healthcare. Merck&Co took 4th place on this list and is headquartered in New Jersey.

Merck&Co is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company maintains its leadership in the field of oncology thanks to oncology drugs and the sustainable effectiveness of all areas of therapy. According to Drug Discovery & Development, for the first three quarters of 2023, Merck&Co's profit is $45.5 billion, overtaking the American Pfizer.

In addition, guests were told about the unified distribution system, contract manufacturing mechanisms and work with a number of BigPharma companies on projects for the production of innovative drugs with the possibility of exporting to near and far abroad.

Speaking of investments, a guide for potential investors was presented to the guests - the Investment Guide Book, developed jointly with Kazakh Invest, which, based on the “one window” principle, provides a platform for large medicinal brands to enter the country from packaging to the full production cycle.

The meeting participants exchanged experience on the development of the pharmaceutical industry and the potential of investment partnerships. MSD, in turn, noted their full readiness to partner with Kazakhstan and achieve common goals.

The single distributor, for its part, is open and ready to cooperate and assist in coordinating issues that arise in the process for the improvement and development of the country’s pharmaceutical sector and the healthcare sector as a whole.

For reference:

The pharmaceutical company MSD creates and produces medicines and vaccines for the prevention and treatment of complex diseases. The main activities of the company are the development of innovative drugs and scientific discoveries in the field of healthcare. The company is represented in the following areas: oncology, HIV and hepatitis, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, antibacterial drugs, new coronavirus infection, vaccine-preventable diseases and others.