Almost 6 million babies have been born across the world by way of in vitro fertilization using the infertility treatment drugs from Merck Healthcare. This comprises 50% of all individuals born through artificial insemination since the very start of IVF - in-vitro fertilization. 

The Senior Vice President and also Head of Global Fertility Franchise with Merck Healthcare, Alexander Steinbach, who is also a known expert with more than 20 years of experience in infertility treatment, during a recent visit to Korea told the Chosun Ilbo it would not be an exaggeration to state that the infertility treatments by Merck have had a prominent effect on worldwide population policies.

Steinbach opined that the roots of infertility treatment drugs from Merck and their development trace back to Serono, which is a company established in Rome, Italy, 116 years ago. Serono went on to move its headquarters to Geneva in Switzerland and thereafter laid the foundation in terms of infertility treatment through introducing hormone therapy for the first time in the 1950s. The drug that was used when the first test-tube baby in the world was born in 1978 also happened to be a Serono product. Merck went on to acquire Serono in 2007.

Apparently, Merck has since expanded its infertility treatment as a major business for years. It has gone on to develop advanced infertility drugs, which include Pergoveris, a treatment for older mothers. Since 2023, the company has been continuously conducting the Fertility Counts infertility policy project. It researches which policies have gone ahead and helped birth rates in varied countries and what kind of insurance systems enhance the access to infertility treatment, goes on to publish white papers, and also shares successful birth policies via expert committees.

In addition to this, Merck is also focusing on supporting the gamut of egg freezing. Steinbach added that egg freezing is indeed the most realistic choice for future pregnancy. He further says that Merck is meeting with government officials and also policy experts across each country in order to advocate for the expanded insurance coverage. 

Within Merck, the employees that are wishing to freeze their eggs are completely supported regardless of their marital status. Steinbach stressed that infertility treatment is indeed a major issue that affects global population policies, and this is why Merck supports all of its employees with almost 100,000 euros, around 170 million Korean won, for infertility treatment without any kind of restrictions on the number of times. The spouses of employees can also get the required support.

It is well to be noted that Merck is also famous for faithfully executing flexible work systems. In Korea, Merck helps with two days of remote work every week. When an employee goes on to report a pregnancy, the company makes sure to secure a replacement staff for almost 45 days before the leave in order to ensure a smooth transition to parental leave.

Steinbach opines that flexible work environments are indeed an essential and sufficient condition for a successful infertility treatment. Infertility treatment needs regular hospital visits, and he stressed the fact that creating an environment wherein work along with treatment can see that balance is indeed most significant.