Fighting schistosomiasis in a strong alliance

Nearly 260 million people suffer from the worm disease schistosomiasis – children in Africa in particular are affected. Merck, a leading science and technology company, has been cooperating with the World Health Organization (WHO) in the fight against neglected tropical diseases for years. Now, with the establishment of the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance (GSA ), Merck has expanded this partnership. By bundling the expertise of its members, the GSA aims to effectively fight and eliminate schistosomiasis worldwide.

According to the WHO, around 70 percent of those affected by schistosomiasis live in 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Schistosomiasis is caused by parasites that lurk in stagnant or slowly flowing fresh water. It is a vicious circle. The female’s eggs infest inner organs such as the colon, spleen, or liver, where the larvae develop into worms – the eggs of which are then excreted via the urine or feces of those infected. Freshwater snails then act as a host in which the eggs develop into larvae, which in turn penetrate the human body.

Children at particular risk

Schistosomiasis is a typical poverty-related disease: In the affected countries, the population often has no access to clean water or sanitary installations and uses the polluted water, for example, to bathe, swim, wash clothes, or fish. Children of school age are at particular risk, since they often play in stagnant water. The consequences of this insidious disease are severe, with acute symptoms ranging from skin rashes to life-threatening fevers. The long-term consequences include chronic inflammation of various organs, which can also lead to death. Up to 200,000 of those affected die each year from the effects of the disease. Among children, the symptoms that result are particularly serious: Schistosomiasis stunts growth, causes learning disabilities, and leads to anemia.

The Praziquantel Donation Program

With the launch of its Praziquantel Donation Program in 2007, Merck made a commitment to help the WHO combat schistosomiasis in Africa. The active ingredient praziquantel was co-developed by Merck in the 1970s and has proven to be the most effective therapy to date, as it can be used to treat all forms of schistosomiasis. Merck’s efforts are in line with the WHO roadmap to overcome neglected tropical diseases, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the London Declaration. Merck is fighting schistosomiasis as part of its corporate responsibility, within the health sphere of activity.

In 2015, Merck donated more than 100 million praziquantel tablets to the WHO. To date, Merck has supplied a total of around 340 million tablets, which has enabled the treatment of more than 74 million patients, primarily children. “We want to give children a new future,” says Stefan Oschmann, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. “The establishment of this alliance underscores our commitment to fighting schistosomiasis and means all relevant partners are on the same page. The only way to overcome the challenges on the road to eliminating this disease is by working together.”

As of 2016, Merck will donate up to 250 million tablets per year to the WHO – until schistosomiasis has been eliminated in Africa. However, providing the praziquantel tablets is only one part of the solution. In combating schistosomiasis, Merck is following an integrated, comprehensive approach: In parallel to the donation program, Merck is working on optimizing the tablets and on developing a pediatric formulation of praziquantel for preschool-age children, for whom the drug is not yet suitable. In addition, Merck is supporting a WHO awareness program to educate children in African schools. Using comic-style booklets designed for children, the youngsters are taught about the causes of schistosomiasis and how to prevent the disease.

Alliance against schistosomiasis

As a founding member of the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance, Merck is aiming to promote greater coordination and efficiency in the fight against schistosomiasis. The long-term goal is to eliminate the disease worldwide, thus contributing toward ending poverty in the affected countries and creating new economic perspectives. At the end of 2014, stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society came together to establish the GSA. The founding members include Merck, World Vision, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Their aim is to work together to achieve greater impact on the ground.

On the one hand, the GSA assumes a mediator role in coordinating existing efforts to combat schistosomiasis. On the other hand, however, it also acts as an initiator of innovative projects that focus on eliminating the disease. To date, three working groups have been formed to carry out the GSA’s work. The first working group manages, monitors, and documents the distribution of praziquantel tablets. The second working group is concerned with raising awareness of schistosomiasis with the aim of mobilizing additional funds and resources to combat the disease. The third group is dedicated to research and development. In their activities, all the working groups pursue the ultimate goal of the GSA: the elimination of schistosomiasis worldwide.