Merck’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Merck’s Life Science business is committed to providing researchers with the necessary raw materials, products and services that can aid the global scientific effort to fight this novel virus. The company has consolidated this product offering on a dedicated COVID-19 webpage, providing a one-stop-shop of approximately 125 products and corresponding information for academic labs and biopharmaceutical companies working to combat the virus.

As a company committed to solving tough problems and accelerating access to health, it is not only focused on end-product solutions during this extraordinary time. To provide this level of support for the critical measures now underway to contain and treat COVID-19 and to continue providing products that support the development and manufacturing of over-the-counter drugs to complex cell and gene therapies, Merck is working hard to ensure minimal disruption to its supply chain, while remaining committed to the safety of its employees and customers. The 59 manufacturing sites around the world belonging to the company’s Life Science business remain operational to ensure that its biopharmaceutical customers have the products and services they need to serve the health needs of a global population.

Along with this, Merck’s top priority remains the safety and well-being of its employees. At each of our sites, the company has stopped travel, arranged remote working whenever possible, and implemented stringent safety measures, such as social distancing and enhanced hygiene protocol. It is also leveraging virtual meeting technology to continue collaborating with the global scientific community. 

Moreover, the company’s leaders are working to keep its employees informed through a number of channels — from email to virtual town halls, as well as a global network of hotlines — to answer employee questions in each country, address company policies, offer guidelines on working from home, and provide resources from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local governments and Merck’s benefits providers.

To aid the ongoing scientific response to COVID-19, Merck is continuing to monitor the global situation closely, establishing protocols and guidelines to minimise the impact whenever possible to its sites and supply. It has mobilised a global task force to actively evaluate the overall supply chain of both its products and key raw materials suppliers to mitigate any potential disruption. Leveraging business continuity plans, it remains dedicated to serving its customers in all markets. In China, Merck’s suppliers continue to increase its levels of resumed operations and, as shipping lanes in and out of China continue to improve, it is actively monitoring logistic routes and transportation options to fulfill its shipping requirements.

Throughout all of this, Merck is following guidance outlined by the WHO, CDC and governments of impacted countries, and its global sites has relevant and approved preparedness plans and are empowered to act per their local scenarios, as necessary.