Merck Serono India Wins the ‘Healthcare Leadership Awards 2015’

Merck Serono India Wins the ‘Healthcare Leadership Awards 2015’ for the ‘Fertility Awareness Month 2014 in the Best Marketing Campaign category’ held on the 14th February, 2015 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

This is the 2nd consecutive year that Merck Serono India has been awarded this recognition in the same category for the outstanding Digital Marketing Programmes during our Fertility Awareness Month 2014.

This is testimony to the fact that the Merck Serono India is at the forefront of the Digital and Multi-Channel Marketing in Healthcare and has leadership in these areas and further differentiate ourselves in the industry.

These awards witnessed participation from leading Healthcare Organisations, MNCs, Pharmaceuticals Companies and Media Giants such as Ogilvy & Mather, Law & Kenneth, McCann Health, Impact Communications, Abbott Healthcare, to name a few.

Healthcare Leadership Awards highlights winning work and offers well deserved recognition. These awards recognizes innovative growth strategies and solutions adopted by the best companies in the healthcare industry. The awards are unique Healthcare Awards recognize projects and professionals that lead innovative Healthcare practices and make a difference to patients’ lives in the healthcare science and allied health professions.

 

Changing Lifestyle, Stress Causing Infertility: Survey

MUMBAI | SEP 19, 2013: Changing lifestyle, stress and delayed marriages are leading to a rise in the incidence of infertility in India, a survey has found. The survey ‘Helping Families’ was conducted among 2,562 participants and 100 infertility experts from nine cities.

It said as many as 46 per cent of young couples in the 31-40 year-age group surveyed were found to be infertile.

The survey was supported by Merck Serono, the bio-pharmaceutical division of global drug giant Merck KGaA.

The findings were endorsed by Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction and Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE), Merck Serono said in a release here today.

Of the surveyed group, 49 per cent have undergone IVF (In-vitro fertilisation) treatment and the rest of them were considering opting for infertility treatment, it said.

When infertility experts were consulted, they shared that 63 per cent of couples seeking infertility treatment are in the age group of 31-40, it said.

“With changing lifestyle, stress and delayed marriages, the incidences of infertility are also on the rise with many other health disorders,” said Lawrence Ganti, General Manager and Country Head, Merck Serono India.

“There is a general lack of awareness among the public regarding infertility as it is a taboo subject. In the quest for conception, many couples opt for alternative therapies and religious rituals thus frittering away crucial age and time,” Dr Jaideep Malhotra was quoted as saying in the survey.
FILED ON: SEP 19, 2013 21:10 IST
http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=810738

 

46% couples in the age group of 31 – 40 are found to be infertile

– Reveals the first ever fertility survey in India ‘Helping Families’ –
– Endorsed by ASPIRE and ISAR; supported by Merck Serono –

Mumbai, September 19, 2013: ‘Helping Families’, is India’s first ever fertility survey endorsed by the Indian Society for Assisted Reproduction (ISAR), the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE), supported by Merck Serono. The survey conducted among 2,562 participants and 100 infertility experts from nine Indian cities revealed startling figures. As much as 46% of young couples in the 31 – 40 year age group surveyed were found to be infertile. Out of this group, 49% has already undergone IVF (In vitro fertilization) treatment and the rest of them were considering opting for infertility treatment. 75% of the population studied accepted the benefits of Assisted Reproductive treatment and were of the opinion that procedures like IVF are safe and help in conceiving healthy babies.

When infertility experts were consulted, they shared that 63% of couples seeking infertility treatment are in the age group of 31 – 40. “In male factor infertility, 41% is due to problems concerning sperm (oligospermia or poor sperm count). In female factor infertility, 40% is attributed to poly cystic ovarian disorder (PCOD), followed by tubal factors (35%)”, said noted IVF expert Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, President elect, ISAR 2014 & Scientific Director – Advanced Infertility centre, Lilavati Hospital and Babies & Us, IVF, ICSI clinic.

Left to right – Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, Dr. Jaideep Malhotra and Mr. Lawrence Ganti, Merck Serono India

“India is a vast and, diverse nation. With changing lifestyle, stress and delayed marriages – the incidence of infertility is also on the rise with many other health disorders. 1 out of 10 couples are infertile – hope is on hand – if they reach the right doctors in time. Being the world leaders in fertility treatment, with an estimated 1.8 million babies born thanks to our innovative products, we have helped thousands of couples to realize their dream of having a child. Merck Serono continues to pursue focused research and development in order to offer patients the infertility treatments of tomorrow,” said Mr. Lawrence Ganti, General Manager & Country Head, Merck Serono India.

‘Helping Families’ survey found that couples nowadays expressed great faith in assisted reproductive technological advancements like IVF. Respondents expressed tremendous stress and highlighted the need for immediate positive results.

Dr. Jaideep Malhotra, President elect ASPIRE 2014 & Director, Malhotra Nursing & Maternity Home, stated, “There is a general lack of awareness among the public regarding infertility as it is a taboo subject. In the quest for conception, many couples opt for alternative therapies and religious rituals thus frittering away crucial age and time. Not just that, even today, women are pressurized in all aspects concerning fertility. The stigma and trauma associated with this condition is extreme.”

The decline in fertility started a decade back, with a troubling 17% decrease observed since the year 2000. Compounded by lack of acceptance and doctor checkups, the problem of infertility has raised multi-fold. Nearly 61% of the couples were shown to derive information from sources like the internet and friends. Even in the 21st century, 64% of the couples studied believed in God’s will and delayed treatment, the survey observed.

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About ISAR
With their pan-India presence of 12 chapters, the aim of ISAR is “Better Care of the Concerned Couple, knowledge about their investigations and further education of those who serve them”. For more information, please visit http://www.isarindia.net/

About ASPIRE
ASPIRE, the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction, is a unique task force of clinicians and scientists involved in the management of fertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). ASPIRE aims to promote awareness of infertility and ART, and to improve infertility-related services in the Asia-Pacific region. For more information, please visit http://www.aspire-reproduction.org

About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck KGaA. With headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. We have also been a trusted name and market leader in prescription multi-vitamins for several generations now. Through our areas of expertise and a strong team of more than 1,300 employees in India, we focus on sustainable medical breakthroughs to improve existing treatments and efforts. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck Serono. For more information, please visit www.merckserono.in