Xtra
The Pioneer in Infertility Treatment
Merck continues to lead the way to further advance treatments in the country’ s fertility industry
October. 2018
10
The Health
GOING by a recent announcement from the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council( MHTC), statistics show that the success rate of Malaysia’ s in vitro fertilisation( IVF) treatment is high, reaching a percentage ranging between 55 to 60 percent. These statistics show that Malaysia is capable of becoming Asia’ s fertility treatment hub by the year 2020, based on the high quality of health services available in the country.
As fertility treatment centres mushroom within the country, providing options for couples seeking fertility treatment, Merck has progressed to become the leading pharmaceutical company in fertility treatment, both locally and globally.
“ With a full portfolio of fertility drugs, our vision is to develop and market innovative, easy-to-use products to help couples at every stage of the reproductive cycle- from follicular development to early pregnancy, to ultimately achieve their dream of having a family,” said Merck Malaysia president Chris Hamann.
Merck started their journey in fertility about 60 years ago, constantly pioneering new treatments, technologies and services to help deliver the best care for specialists and couples. They have long since taken the leap as the pioneer in research and development( R & D) developing & marketing the first recombinant FSH preparation into the market. Hence, ensuring the quality and consistency of hormones prescribed and increasing safety and efficacy of the treatments applied in fertility treatments and management. This initiated a new era of R & D and due in part to this innovation, an estimated 2.5 million babies have been brought into the world.
CHALLENGES OF INFERTILITY
Infertility affects millions of couples worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation( WHO) in developing countries, one in four couples suffer from infertility. The WHO defines infertility as the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of trying to conceive without using contraceptives. For women over 35, a couple should see a doctor after trying to conceive for six months. Many different factors influence a couple’ s ability to conceive, including natural, biological processes in both the male and female body. Age and also lifestyle factors – such as a high body mass index, stress, smoking, caffeine and alcohol intake as well as exposure to environmental pollutants – play a part as well.
Merck Malaysia President Chris Hamann