Merck believes that the most relevant measure of the success of our antiretroviral (ARV) access strategy is the number of patients treated, and where they are treated (developing versus developed countries). Starting in 2007, we began to track patients treated by pricing category, region and registration status; prior to this, we tracked by region only. We plan to continue tracking and reporting trend data by pricing category, region and registration status.

HIV and AIDS Access Performance Data Summary 2006-2008

GLOBAL	2008	2007	2006
Number of patients on Merck ARV therapy—all formulations, all products [percentage in developing world]	653,867* [76]	763,118 [91]	701,391 [93]
Percentage of total patients on Merck ARVs estimated to be children taking pediatric formulations	17	15	19
Percentage of total patients using Merck ARVs at prices which Merck does not profit	76	82	74
Percentage of total patients using Merck ARVs at significantly discounted prices	9	8	18

^*Although the number of patients on Merck ARV therapy represents a decrease from 2007, it is important to recognize that the number of patients in developing countries treated with generic ARVs has increased significantly.

As of December 31, 2008, 653,867 patients in 131 countries and territories were being treated with regimens containing at least one of Merck's ARVs. Three out of four (76 percent) — or an estimated 498,845 patients — obtained these ARVs in the more than 80 countries in which we sell them at a price at which Merck does not profit. An additional 9 percent received Merck ARVs in countries where they are offered at significantly discounted prices. Nine out of 10 patients using Merck ARVs live in developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean where the pandemic is having its most devastating impact. Of those being treated with Merck ARVs, there are an estimated 111,471 children using pediatric formulations, representing 17 percent of all patients on Merck ARVs.

The content on this page was last modified on September 15, 2009.

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