Merck Annual Report 2000

    Fosamax, the leading nonhormonal product worldwide for the treatment of osteoporosis, approached the $1.3 billion annual sales mark in 2000 and is breaking away from the competition. With sales already far greater than that of its closest competitor, the launch in 2000 of an innovative product enhancement, Fosamax 70mg Once Weekly, holds outstanding promise for future growth.
    Fosamax Once Weekly is the first and only once weekly oral treatment for osteoporosis. The new tablet offers patients the proven efficacy of Fosamax with the added convenience of once weekly dosing. When clinical trials demonstrated that the new once weekly dose is just as effective in increasing bone mass as the daily dose, we knew we had a winner. Taking medication every day as prescribed is important in the successful management of osteoporosis but it takes time from busy lives. Fosamax Once Weekly gives that time back. The dramatic uptake in sales of the tablet in virtually every country where Fosamax Once Weekly has become available shows just how much our customers appreciate that added convenience on top of the proven efficacy of Fosamax.
    In addition, Fosamax has been approved in the United States and several countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific as a treatment to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis. Many people are surprised to learn that men can develop osteoporosis. However, an estimated 2 million American men have been diagnosed with the disease, and another 3 million are at risk.
    Simultaneously, we are continuing to mount a variety of educational campaigns throughout the world to increase osteoporosis awareness, diagnosis and treatment rates. Osteoporosis, a widespread disease and an important public health problem, is estimated to affect one in three women over the age of 50. Market research reveals that nearly 45 million women around the world suffer from osteoporosis. Of these, only 7 million women – and virtually none of the men with osteoporosis – are being treated. We believe that our educational programs will help those that suffer from the disease and greatly expand the market for Fosamax.
    With this outstanding potential, it is no surprise Fosamax remains one of the Company’s five key drivers of future growth. We know that both physicians and health care authorities recognize Fosamax as highly effective for the treatment of osteoporosis, especially for the prevention of hip and spine fractures. How do we know? The marketplace tells us so. Fosamax accounts for nearly 30 percent of the worldwide market for the treatment of osteoporosis, far ahead of its closest competitor.

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