Merck CEO speaks on health care
Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 5/30/08 Section: News
Clark is also the board chairman of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which is made up of leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies in the U.S.
He said the board is working on increasing coordination between different pharmaceutical companies, and if different companies work together on projects, the projects will be more efficient and beneficial. For instance, if multiple companies work together on a medicine, the coordination could allow the drug to be ready faster to help those who need it.
During the question and answer portion of the program, Clark touched on issues including universal health care.
"The pharmaceutical industry certainly has to support [universal health care]," Clark said.
Clark also said that Merck does not think the government should be the only supplier of healthcare in a universal system.
Regarding Merck's focus on how helping all people who need their medicines could displease people focused on profits, Clark quoted George Merck, the company's founder, and said, "If you focus on the patients, the profits will come."
Shane Kenny, a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering, said Clark's speech shed new light on Merck's efforts.
"All you see is Vioxx this, Vioxx that," Kenny said, referring to Merck's arthritis medication that was found to carry increased health risks. "You don't hear, 'Hey, we're helping this many people every year,'" he said.
Provost Stephen Director and Güçeri also spoke at the event prior to Clark's speech. Güçeri also moderated the question and answer portion of the program.
Clark has been president and CEO of Merck since 2005, and chairman of the board since 2007. He first joined Merck in 1972.
He said the board is working on increasing coordination between different pharmaceutical companies, and if different companies work together on projects, the projects will be more efficient and beneficial. For instance, if multiple companies work together on a medicine, the coordination could allow the drug to be ready faster to help those who need it.
During the question and answer portion of the program, Clark touched on issues including universal health care.
"The pharmaceutical industry certainly has to support [universal health care]," Clark said.
Clark also said that Merck does not think the government should be the only supplier of healthcare in a universal system.
Regarding Merck's focus on how helping all people who need their medicines could displease people focused on profits, Clark quoted George Merck, the company's founder, and said, "If you focus on the patients, the profits will come."
Shane Kenny, a senior majoring in Chemical Engineering, said Clark's speech shed new light on Merck's efforts.
"All you see is Vioxx this, Vioxx that," Kenny said, referring to Merck's arthritis medication that was found to carry increased health risks. "You don't hear, 'Hey, we're helping this many people every year,'" he said.
Provost Stephen Director and Güçeri also spoke at the event prior to Clark's speech. Güçeri also moderated the question and answer portion of the program.
Clark has been president and CEO of Merck since 2005, and chairman of the board since 2007. He first joined Merck in 1972.
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