Merck targets high-risk military veterans for hepatitis C lessons

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Press Release
Merck Joins with the American Liver Foundation to Educate U.S. Veterans on Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection

“Despite their increased risk for chronic hepatitis C virus infection, too many veterans remain undiagnosed,” said Thomas F. Nealon III, chief executive officer of the American Liver Foundation. “We are proud to work with Merck on this important initiative, which we believe will help many veterans better understand their risk, as well as their options for getting tested and linked to care.” Link - http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171012005279/en/

Of Interest

Investment Commentary
Merck targets high-risk military veterans for hepatitis C lessons
by Carly Helfand |
Oct 16, 2017 9:15am

Veterans are three times more likely to have hepatitis C than the general population—and Merck & Co. wants to make sure they know that.

The pharma giant, which makes the hep C-fighting therapy Zepatier, has partnered up with the American Liver Foundation, which will join educational events in Boston, Philadelphia, Phoenix and San Diego to speak with veterans about their risk factors, dole out tips and resources for living with hep C, and provide info about testing and treatment.

The awareness push comes as Merck has been focusing on veterans as a market for Zepatier, which was third to the next-gen hep C market after Gilead Sciences, with its megablockbuster meds, and AbbVie's Viekira Pak. In May of last year, executives at rival AbbVie told investors the New Jersey drugmaker had introduced steeper-than-expected discounts for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, snapping up a good portion of AbbVie’s market share in that segment.
Link - http://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/merck-teams-up-american-liver-foundation-to-educate-high-risk-vets-hep-c