Top executives weigh in at CIIE (IV)

Anna Van Acker, president of MSD in China

A1: On our third year, leveraging CIIE's unique platform, we enhance communication, sharing, and jointly respond to global public health threats with Chinese partners. Showcase our extensive products, R&D pipeline, innovative medical solutions, and our long-term commitment to benefiting Chinese patients and customers. China has always been a key market for MSD. Adhering to our mission of "Inventing for Life", we continuously bring more innovative and life-saving drugs as well as advanced vaccines to China to better benefit Chinese patients and the public, and support to achieve the "Healthy China 2030" initiative.

A2: The CIIE provides impetus to the recovery of international exchange, providing opportunities and communication platforms for the multinational companies in China across industries. With the pandemic, global attention to vaccines and infectious disease prevention and control has been much higher than before. As a global leader in the vaccine industry, MSD will continue fulfilling our commitment by promoting innovation and improving medicine accessibility and affordability to benefit Chinese patients and consumers. At this year's CIIE, MSD introduce the first oral antiviral drug, Molnupiravir, if approved by FDA.

A3: MSD welcomes China's efforts in accelerating the review and approval of innovative medicines and vaccines to benefit Chinese patients. For example, National Medical Product Administration has installed a fast-track review mechanism. CIIE itself serves as an epitome of China's efforts to improve import, which allows all the players to showcase their most innovative products across different industries.

A4: With health being a main subject of attention today, MSD is pleased to see the recent rapid development of China's pharmaceutical industry regarding R&D talent, scientific research capabilities, investments, business and policy environment.

As an active participant and builder of the China's health market, MSD is thrilled to join a more mature and diversified consumer market today, which is conducive to the long-term development of MSD in China. Together with local partners, we will bring more vaccines and health solutions to benefit more Chinese consumers for the improvement of public health in China.

A5: China's reform and opening-up has achieved remarkable results, as recognized by the international community. For example, a lot of efforts have been made in improving the business environment of the pharmaceutical industry, which allows companies to introduce life-saving medicines and innovative vaccines to China at a faster rate. We look forward to higher-level opening-up to facilitate the realization of "Healthy China 2030."

The continuous optimization of China's business environment has strengthened our confidence in the sustainable development of MSD in China. We will seize the opportunities and continue to work with the government, the institutions and our business partners to meet the unmet medical needs of Chinese patients and the public.

A6: China's opening-up has optimized the business environment and attracted players around the world. At the same time, more Chinese enterprises are branching out, which contributed to increased flow of ideas, talent and a more diverse business ecosystem.

A8: Compared with some other countries, how does China's firm support for free trade and multilateralism fare?

The world has been facing common health challenges that require all stakeholders to come together and work out tangible solutions. Encouragement of collaborations will be conducive to saving and improving lives around the world.