Responsibility

Employee volunteering – many ways to make a difference

August 2024

All year round our employees take part in a full range of volunteering experiences, from refereeing at swimming events, to painting walls, or mentoring young people.

All MSD employees are given 40 hours of volunteering time to support a cause they feel passionate about. Every effort counts and individuals have found many ways to make a unique positive impact.

Refereeing at the swimming British Championships

MSD Sales Manager, Adrian, has been volunteering every year for the past twelve years at swimming events across the country. After his daughters started competing in the sport, Adrian become involved in the swimming events. He is now proud to be one of the few referees from a diverse background and that the volunteering policy allows him to pursue this passion. Through his commitment, he has now progressed to become a referee and receives invitations to events across the country, including the Olympic trials in London.

One of his most cherished moments from his volunteering experience is when he was asked to present the medals at the end of the British Championships. To Adrian’s surprise, he had the incredible opportunity to present a medal to his own daughter!

Brightening up community spaces

The ALIANZA UK team recently put their volunteering hours to fantastic use by supporting the Latin American House charity! Our MSD volunteers embarked on a two-day project to paint the office areas of the Latin American House Community Hub, specifically the Brazil and Colombia rooms.

Despite the scorching hot weather, the team did a great job and found it incredibly rewarding to the see the transformation. The ALIANZA UK team contributed to creating a more welcoming and vibrant environment for staff, clients and visitors.

Keeping history alive

One of our employees has found immense joy in utilising her volunteering hours at The American Museum in Bath, a museum of American art and culture surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Working in the herb shop, MSD Sales Manager, Janet, collects herbs from the garden to create Tussie Mussies, a colonial American item to sell to visitors. She volunteers regularly and has started taking her daughter along to volunteer with her!

Being one of the four Americans working at the museum, Janet also appreciates the chance to have conversations with a variety of people about her home country, its history and culture. Volunteering has not only provided her with a connection to her home country but has had a positive impact on her mental wellbeing and Janet encourages others to explore volunteering opportunities available to them!

Mentoring for positive change

Vicky dedicates one hour a week to Motivation, Commitment and Resilience (MCR) Pathways, a national mentoring programme that aims to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people. Volunteering for one-hour a week during the school term, she consistently provides positive support to teenagers facing various challenges.

Vicky underwent training before being matched with her mentee, ensuring she had the necessary skills for the role, with the programme striving to pair mentors with mentees who share similar interests to create meaningful connections.

She claims ‘At first, I was nervous and wasn’t sure what I had to offer but I believe we all have the necessary skills to simply be there for a young person. All they need is someone to be interested in them.’

Our employees have a number of team initiatives also under way including a donation drive and volunteering at the Whitechapel Mission Charity this coming autumn.

The diverse volunteering experiences of our MSD employees exemplify the variety of ways to make a positive impact. These stories illustrate that regardless of the form it takes, volunteering allows individuals to connect to their passions, make a difference and creative positive change in their communities and beyond.

GB-NON-09983 | August 2024

Partnerships

MSD highlights progress on addressing health inequalities in cancer in England

May 2024

How can we learn from the work of Cancer Alliances in reducing health inequalities at a local level?

MSD in the UK have published the report, Driving health equity in cancer: Practical examples from Cancer Alliances, demonstrating the progress Cancer Alliances in England are making towards addressing health inequalities.

The publication, Driving health equity in cancer: Practical examples from Cancer Alliances, brings together a collection of case studies of local projects within Cancer Alliances across the country that aim to overcome the health inequalities in cancer care and outcomes in their area. It highlights practical steps that can be taken, such as working with organisations in the local community, to reach underserved or hard-to-reach populations – who are often more at risk of certain cancer types but don’t readily engage with the health system.

Bringing together practical examples in this way is intended to inspire cancer services and local communities to think differently about the opportunities available to support populations impacted by health inequalities by showcasing steps that can be taken to support them and extend and improve their lives.

Read the report

The project was funded and led by MSD in the UK, working with Cancer Alliances to bring together case studies of the crucial work they have been undertaking over the course of many years.

We are grateful to NHS England National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme Directors and to Macmillan Cancer Support for their endorsement for this project – providing feedback and forewords for the publication:

Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer, and Professor Bola Owolabi, Director of the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme, said:

“The case studies in this report showcase the innovative and responsive ways in which we hoped that Cancer Alliances and other organisations would implement the Core20PLUS5 programme – in their local communities, shaping their work around the community’s specific needs. We have enjoyed hearing about these case studies throughout the project and hope they inspire others, as they have inspired us, to continue our life-saving and important work in addressing health inequalities in cancer across England.”

Claire Taylor MBE, Chief Nursing Officer, and Professor Richard Simcock, Chief Medical Officer, at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:

“Eliminating health inequalities is becoming an increasing priority in the UK as we continue to see widening variation in cancer outcomes. This report offers positive and practical ways to improve health equity with useful insights from others’ key learnings and also further resources you may wish to access.”

Health inequalities have a direct impact on the risk of getting cancer, the speed with which someone is diagnosed, and their likelihood of surviving – MSD’s October 2022 report, Levelling up: what does it mean for the less survivable cancers in England?, analysed national data from some of the least survivable cancers and found that only 49% of people living in the most deprived quintile are diagnosed with cancer at an early stage (stage 1 or 2), compared to 58% of people from the least deprived quintile.¹

It is vital that the Government and NHS continue to focus on tackling inequalities to achieve the early diagnosis and survival ambitions set out in the NHS Long Term Plan.²

Benson Fayehun, MSD UK Oncology Business Unit Head

“Addressing health inequalities is deeply personal to me and is one of the biggest barriers we face to improving the nation’s health. National commitments and leadership help set the tone and direction – but it is through learning from, and innovating with, communities on the ground that we see the action needed to bring about positive change and improve people’s lives.

We are delighted to have been able to bring together some of the fantastic and inspiring work that Cancer Alliances have undertaken in partnership with local charities and community organisations to overcome cultural, physical or logistical barriers to equal healthcare. By sharing these positive examples we hope to inspire others within the health system, local authorities, charities and community groups to think differently about their roles in addressing health inequalities and the opportunities that there are to support their local populations.”

Examples of the fantastic projects Cancer Alliances have been delivering, include:

The Alright Me Liver? campaign in Somerset, Wiltshire, Avon & Gloucestershire to improve early detection of liver cancer – one of the less survivable cancers – in deprived communities, who have an increased risk of death from liver cancer.³

This Van Can is a mobile health clinic targeting groups at higher risk of prostate cancer in Greater Manchester.
You Need to Know campaign in Northeast London to tackle low awareness of womb cancer, where incidence and mortality rates are higher in people of non-white ethnicities and from more deprived communities.^4,5
Efforts in Southeast London to ensure patients with learning difficulties receive optimal care

[1] MSD, Levelling up: what does it mean for the less survivable cancers in England?, September 2022, job number: GB-NON-06239. Available: https://www.msd-uk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2022/10/Levelling-up_What-does-it-mean-for-the-less-survivable-cancers-in-England.pdf

[2] NHS England (2019). NHS long term plan: chapter three: cancer. Available: https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/online-version/chapter-3-further-progress-on-care-quality-and-outcomes/better-care-for-major-health-conditions/cancer/#:~:text=This%20Long%20Term%20Plan%20sets,least%20five%20years%20after%20diagnosis. Accessed April 2024

[3] Mayor of Bristol (2023). Alright my liver? Liver cancer awareness month. Available: https://thebristolmayor.com/2023/10/01/alright-my-liver/ Accessed JApril 2024.

[4] Cancer Research UK, Uterine cancer statistics. Available: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/uterine-cancer#heading-Zero Accessed April 2024.

[5] Cancer Research UK, Uterine cancer statistics,. Available: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/uterine-cancer#heading-Zero Accessed April 2024

GB-NON-09360 | May 2024

Responsibility

MSD for Mothers Reaches 30 Million Women Worldwide

May 2024

MSD has announced that MSD for Mothers has reached more than 30 million women through programs promoting safe, high-quality and respectful maternal health care – surpassing its goal of reaching 25 million women by 2025.

MSD for Mothers is dedicated to finding solutions to end maternal mortality with over 200 programs in more than 70 countries designed to deliver on the unique maternal health needs of women around the world.

While the maternal health landscape has experienced progress in recent years, maternal mortality remains a reality for too many. According to the World Health Organization, a maternal death occurred nearly every two minutes in 2020, with almost 95% occurring in low-income or lower middle-income countries. Through MSD for Mothers, the company upholds its commitment to expanding access to health and accelerating progress toward one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal targets: to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030.

To advance this ambition, MSD for Mothers works closely with various public and private sector collaborators to strengthen health systems for the long-term and address the diverse needs of moms, babies and families globally.

“I am so proud of our company’s long-standing commitment to our MSD for Mothers initiative, which is dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes around the world,” said Allison Goldberg, president of our company’s foundation. “Through MSD for Mothers, we have now helped more than 30 million women access high-quality, life-saving care around pregnancy and childbirth – surpassing our goal of reaching 25 million women by 2025. This milestone serves as a reminder that much work is left to be done, and we remain committed to helping create a world where no woman has to die while giving life.”

To learn more about this milestone achievement, read the company’s full announcement here.

GB-NON-09434 | May 2024

Responsibility

Shining a light on our work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

March 2024

MSD’s Chief Diversity Officer, Celeste Warren, strives to ensure that our policies and practices provide an equal opportunity for all so that our workforce reflects the diversity of the world. This she says “enables us to better understand the needs of the patients, health care providers and customers we serve,”

And that means embedding a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion at every level of the organisation, a commitment that’s central to our business growth as well as to our employees’ well-being.

At MSD in the UK, our work is more than just scientific: we recognise that we have an important part to play in tackling health disparities to drive improvements in healthcare access and outcomes for patients across the UK.

We believe in creating a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone has the best chance of staying healthy and well, regardless of their background, identity and circumstances.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are at the centre of everything we do and is part of our ways of working. Our employees with shared experiences and their allies come together as Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRG’s). Providing a community and informing change across our business, our EBRGs help everyone at MSD bring their authentic selves to work, and ultimately champion and drive improvements externally in our mission to save and improve lives.

Prioritising diversity and inclusion benefits employees and our business

We’ve made a lot of progress on our diversity and inclusion efforts in our workplace, including:

- Strong membership growth across our 10 EBRGs globally with approximately 21,500 employees who belong to EBRGs, and many of our UK employees are active participants.
- Launch of an internal Ally Resource Centre to provide access to resources and educational materials to support each employee’s D&I learning journey.
- Development of an integrated disability inclusion strategy to create a disability-confident workplace culture where people with disabilities feel accepted, connected and can fully contribute.
- An annual UK Health Equity hackathon, hosted by our LEAD network (League of Employees of African Descent) in collaboration with Eli Lilly’s embRACE brings together over 55 undergraduate students from a range of diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, inviting curious minds to ‘hack’ the problem of health equity, explore potential solutions, and network. As well an increasing awareness of health equity, the event contributes to a pipeline of diverse talent as the winning group are accelerated through the early talent programme assessments.
- Our UK EBRG’s have recently driven the implementation of a new ‘Transitioning At Work’ policy, a new ‘Menopause Policy’ and a mandatory ‘Sexual Harassment’ training programme for all employees
- MSD is proud to be a member of the Patient Information Forum (PIF) and are part of their Trusted Information Creator accreditation scheme (the PIF TICK) – the UK’s only quality mark for health information. We commit that our public-facing materials are produced in line with PIF’s criteria, ensuring that our information is accessible and accurate.

We are on a journey, and are proud to be shining a light on our work so far. Watch our video and follow our stories on social media over the coming weeks.

GB-NON-09023 | February 2024

Partnerships

Eliminating cervical cancer across the UK could save £2.6 billion, new research finds

January 2024

The UK could save £2.6 billion by achieving the WHO global targets for cervical cancer by 2046, landmark new research reveals.

An estimated 3,200 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the UK every year – nine women every day. 99.8% of cervical cancer cases in the UK are caused by HPV, which means that nearly every case of cervical cancer is preventable[i].

Under its global call to action towards elimination, the WHO has set a target incidence of 4 cases of cervical cancer per 100,000 women, to be achieved by countries ensuring that 90% of girls receive human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination by age 15, 70% of women access cervical screening aged 35 and 45, and 90% of women with pre-cancer and invasive cancer are appropriately treated and managed[ii]. According to the new report – undertaken by OHE and fully funded by MSD – the UK is anticipated to hit these targets by 2046, which would lead to a 23% reduction in the socioeconomic burden of cervical cancer between 2023 and 2046.

The new research comes soon after NHS England’s November announcement that it would be pursuing the elimination of cervical cancer by 2040, noting the potential to save thousands of lives [iii]. And the NHS Vaccination Strategy published in December puts England one step closer to elimination through a range of commitments to improve HPV vaccination coverage rates[iv].

But progress is not guaranteed and there is still a long road to elimination: the latest vaccine coverage data for the routine school-aged HPV immunisation programme in England for the 2022/23 academic year shows that whilst have been some gains, coverage is still behind that recorded pre-COVID-19 pandemic [v].

The report authors call on governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to follow England’s lead in pledging to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 – thereby accelerating the path to elimination across the UK and ensuring equality and consistency in the approach to elimination between the four nations.

To download a copy of the report, click here.

Ben Lucas, Managing Director, MSD UK & Ireland, who commissioned the research, said:

“At MSD, we are dedicated to inspiring country-wide action towards elimination by showcasing the success of areas already hitting WHO targets at the local and national levels. The OHE’s findings on the socioeconomic benefits of eliminating cervical cancer add even more impetus to the race to elimination, but we cannot forget the huge personal impact of this mission. The OHE rightly note the critical importance of overcoming existing inequalities in access to HPV vaccination and cervical screening if we are to make a success of elimination, and I am delighted to see the report set out recommendations on how elimination might work for every part of society.”

[i] Cancer Research UK, Cervical cancer statistics. Last accessed December 2023, available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/cervical-cancer#heading-Zero

[ii] World Health Organization, Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative. Last accessed December 2023, Available from: https://www.who.int/initiatives/cervical-cancer-elimination-initiative

[iii] NHS England, NHS sets ambition to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, 15 November 2023. Last accessed December 2023, available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2023/11/nhs-sets-ambition-to-eliminate-cervical-cancer-by-2040/

[iv] NHS England, NHS Vaccination Strategy, December 2023. Last accessed December 2023, available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-vaccination-strategy/

[v] UK Health Security Agency, Official Statistics: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage in adolescents in England: 2022 to 2023. Last accessed January 2023, available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccine-coverage-estimates-in-england-2022-to-2023/human-papillomavirus-hpv-vaccination-coverage-in-adolescents-in-england-2022-to-2023

GB-NON-08825 | January 2024

Responsibility

MSD labs awarded certification for sustainable science

December 2023

After a thorough assessment of our equipment, practices, and products, MSD’s LBIC and Crick labs have been certified by My Green Lab.

For our LBIC site, we received the highest level, which is Green, and for the Crick we received Platinum which is the second highest level.

Recognised by the United Nations Race to Zero campaign as a key measure of progress towards a zero-carbon future, My Green Lab Certification is considered the gold standard for laboratory sustainability best practices around the world.

My Green Lab Certification is a proven, scalable program that helps organisations achieve their sustainability goals. It offers tried-and-true methods rooted in science to dramatically reduce the environmental impact of laboratories without disrupting the critical work underway.

Mehriban Akin, Safety and Environment Lead for MSD Research Labs (MRL) in the UK said:

“As we work toward a greener future, we are considering the impact of our scientific operations and striving to undertake our research sustainably to support the health of our planet and its people. Every step counts to make our labs more sustainable and we are committed to doing all that we can to make real and impactful changes to decrease the environmental footprint of our research.”

More information about the program can be found at www.mygreenlab.org/green-lab-certification

GB-NON-08730 | December 2023

Partnerships

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Matters

November 2023

MSD, with advice and input from the UK Charity for TNBC, has launched the I count: Triple Negative Breast Cancer Matters campaign to ensure that people with Triple Negative Breast Cancer feel that they count and are being counted.

Whilst breast cancer remains the most common cancer in the UK for women^[1] , survival has doubled in the last 50 years^[2], exemplifying the advancements that can be made for patients. Despite this progress, there is more to do.

What is Triple Negative Breast Cancer?

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer. It accounts for around 10-20% of new breast cancer diagnoses^[^3] and is responsible for 30-40% of all breast cancer deaths,^3] according to international data. TNBC tumours generally spread faster than other types of breast cancer^[^3]. This type of breast cancer disproportionately affects women under the age of 40 and women who are black.^[^4] Due to the younger average age of those with TNBC, many are in the middle stages of their career and have caring responsibilities. A TNBC diagnosis can make a person feel like their world has come crashing down. ^[5]

“I was told that my life expectancy could be as little as 18 months… I remember just lying there all night, all these thoughts about kids going to university, seeing them graduate or get a job or find a partner or get married, you say, well… that’s no longer definitely my future anymore.”

– Becky Pernetta, a patient living with TNBC^[5]

What are the experiences of people with Triple Negative Breast Cancer?

Despite the wide-ranging impacts of TNBC, there is very little published information that focuses on the experiences of people with TNBC in England. We know from speaking to patients, healthcare professionals and those working in the charity sector that many people with TNBC feel their voice is not being heard^[6].

“We feel we’re a bit forgotten about because a lot of the focus has been on hormone positive cancers. When you’ve got triple negative breast cancer, there’s this sense that, well, what about us?”

– Emma Evans, a patient living with TNBC

We also know that there is a significant data gap around Triple Negative Breast Cancer^[7]. The recent data on TNBC published by the NHS^[8] is neither routinely published nor consistent with the common estimate of TNBC prevalence^[9]. The lack of accurate data and information on how many people are living with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in England, and the quality of care they receive, means that it is difficult to quantify the anecdotal experiences of people living with TNBC, so that their voices are not being heard by policymakers.

“The government have to be educated on triple negative breast cancer, to know the differences between that and other types of breast cancer.”

– Becky Pernetta

How can the experiences of people with Triple Negative Breast Cancer be improved?

We have sought to give a platform to the TNBC community through the ‘I count’ campaign. We want to shine a spotlight on TNBC to ensure that people with TNBC feel they count and are being counted by the people and institutions with the power to shape cancer services in England.

The I count campaign sets out a number of recommendations which, if realised, will ensure patients are put first. Achieving this includes more accessible and holistic support, refining treatment pathways and closing the data gap. Ultimately, we want every person with TNBC and their family to receive the very best care and support for them.

You can learn more about the I count campaign and our call to action by downloading thi s infographic.

You can also hear Emma and Mirella’s tell their stories on our YouTube. To find out how you can support the campaign, please contact natasha.silkin@msd.com

This campaign was funded and developed by MSD, with advice and input from the UK Charity for TNBC.

[1] Cancer Research UK. Breast cancer statistics: breast cancer incidence (invasive). https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/breast-cancer#heading-Zero

[2] Cancer Research UK. Breast cancer statistics: breast cancer mortality. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/breast-cancer#heading-Three

[3] Manzano, A. et al. Improving the care of women with triple-negative breast cancer. The Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE). 2023 https://ihe.se/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IHE-Report-2023_2_.pdf

[4] UK Charity for TNBC. What is Triple Negative Breast Cancer and What Does It Mean For Me? https://www.ukcharityfortnbc.org/what-is-tnbc-and-what-does-it-mean-for-me

[5] MSD. TNBC patient testimonial film, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87Ypqf99GIQ

[6] MSD. Narrative Health, commissioned on MSD behalf, conducted interviews with patients on their TNBC support needs in 2023.

[7] National Audit of Breast Cancer in Older Patients. New national audits of primary breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer. https://www.nabcop.org.uk/resources/naopri-and-naome/

[8] NHS Digital. Breast cancer incidence (ICD-10 C50) by hormone receptor status. 2023. https://digital.nhs.uk/supplementary-information/2023/breast-cancer-incidence-icd-10-c50-by-hormone-receptor-status

[9] Cancer Research UK. Triple negative breast cancer.https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/types/triple-negative-breast-cancer

GB-NON-08612 | November 2023

Our People

Inspired Through Volunteering

September 2023

From gardening at the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton to volunteering at the British Transplant Games in Coventry, individuals and teams across MSD reach out to support charities and not-for profit organisations. We asked what inspired them…

Team Gardening

The Corporate Affairs Team took the opportunity to give back when they undertook a half day of gardening at the Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton – a place where the Centre’s patients and families spend time enjoying the allotment’s sea views, vegetable garden and flowers.

“We saw a huge change in the allotment in just one morning and knowing that the Horizon Centre’s patients and families can now enjoy the refreshed allotment for the whole summer is inspiring. We were incredibly lucky with the weather on the day. In total we volunteered for 66 hours in just one morning, that’s over two weeks of full-time work for one gardener!”

When it Comes to Animals

Members of Animal Health’s Equine Team found the perfect place to provide a helping hand. The team utilised their hours volunteering at the World Horse Welfare , the largest centre of its kind in the UK. Starting off with a tour of the facility learning about the rehabilitation and re-homing process for the horses, their day was then spent weeding, cleaning and re- filling water troughs – there are 120 horses onsite!

“Volunteering at World Horse Welfare was a great opportunity for our team to continue to build our strong team culture whilst supporting the equine industry. The day helped us get closer to them as a charity, whose equine health and welfare work share many of the values we do at MSD.”

Going for Gold

Having undergone a kidney transplant two years ago, one of our employees joined the Transplant Sport Northern Ireland (TSNI) charity during his recovery. This year, he helped to raise awareness and promote the life-saving impact of organ transplants by leading the NI team at the British Transplant Games in Coventry. He helped organize logistics and training to take a group of transplanted patients of all ages to Coventry to compete in the Games, as well as taking the chance to compete in the swimming.

“The Games’ main aim is to encourage patients to regain fitness after their transplant and help persuade more people to join the UK donor register. To celebrate the gift of transplant through sport was fantastic. It is also a great way to showcase how organ donation can be truly lifesaving. The Transplant Sport Northern Ireland Team came away with 13 Gold, 9 Silver and 8 Bronze medals this year alongside a lot of great memories.”

Clearing the Environment

The Regulatory Affairs and Pharmacovigilance teams wanted to find a volunteering opportunity to both support the community’s well being and do something good for the environment. What better way than doing some litter picking at Burgess Park with Southwark Council!

“Parks have a positive impact on people’s mental health (as we saw especially during the pandemic) so creating this clearer environment allowed us to give back to a local community which does not have the resources to focus on litter pollution. Preventing dangerous items polluting natural habitats also protects and enhances biodiversity in the park.”

MSD encourages all employees to volunteer in the community granting 40 hours paid leave each year. Hundreds of hours are racked up giving back in varied roles, and so many stories are shared of how truly inspiring they find the experience.

GB-NON-08076 | September 2023

Our People

Visibility and Allyship – Pride 2023

August 2023

In a vibrant display of solidarity, 70 MSD colleagues took centre stage at this years Pride March in London, standing (and dancing) proudly alongside the LGBTQ+ community.

For the third consecutive year, MSD UK’s Rainbow Alliance, alongside 70 employees and friends donned rainbow flags and glitter to march in the parade – this time bigger than ever before with our own MSD float!

At MSD, our LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies are represented by the Rainbow Alliance who are committed to being advocates of the community by catalysing change and empowering everyone to be themselves, always. The network is also committed to developing LGBTQ+ talent within the organisation and ensuring equity of opportunity for career development alongside celebrating the rich and diverse culture of MSD through visibility and allyship, creating a community for everyone to be proud of.

A big part of this celebration within the LGBTQ+ community is centred annually on Pride Month – an event marked by the Rainbow Alliance by marching in the parade at Pride in London.

“I could not be more proud to have led the planning for our entry in the Pride in London parade this year for MSD in the UK. It’s really important to me, as an ally of the LGBTQ+ community, to be empowered to bring our MSD DE&I values to life through events like Pride in London. It demonstrates that we don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk (literally!).”

Beth Byrne (She / Her)

“I am proud to be open about my HIV status because it creates a more inclusive and compassionate workplace where everyone feels supported and valued. I am committed to advocate for the LBGTQ+ people at MSD and in the community to champion their rights, equality, and well-being.”

Vittorio (He / Him)

Celebrated annually, Pride Month is a celebration but is also an important time to bring the continued movement for equality and equity in the LGBTQ+ community to the forefront of the public consciousness and onto the agenda of policymakers. Now that Pride Month is over for 2023, the Rainbow Alliance is looking forward to the next six months of the year – galvanised by the joyful and uplifting energy from marching at Pride in London, they will continue working to fulfil their commitment to ongoing visibility and action for change.

GB-NON-07850 | Aug 2023

Responsibility

MSD welcome British Neuroscience Scholars to the London Discovery Centre

August 2023

We were delighted to welcome scholars from the British Neuroscience Association (BNA) to our London discovery offices as part of MSD’s ongoing support for the BNA Scholarship Programme.

MSD continues to be a proud founding industry member and supporter of the scheme, which aims to drive improvements in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) across neuroscience.

Our MRL leadership team were pleased to host the cohort at our London Discovery offices for an exciting day of interactive company and career discussions, as well as insights into MSD’s latest scientific research and laboratory tours.

MSD’s involvement in the BNA Scholarship Programme constitutes an important part of our continued commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) within the company and in the wider scientific community.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with the BNA to provide our support and funding for this valuable programme.

Improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in the field of neuroscience research is something that we as an organisation feel passionate about – it speaks to our values, both as an employer and as a research-led organisation, with a significant focus on neuroscience.

A culture of equality, diversity and inclusion allows innovation to thrive and fuels the breakthroughs we strive for.”

– Dr Jill Richardson, Executive Director of Discovery Research for MSD in the UK

Rana, BNA Scholar on why ED&I in neuroscience is important

“bringing together different backgrounds and approaches can have more of an impact in neuroscience. I also think it’s important to represent these different backgrounds and people because it’s important for younger generations to see role models that they can relate to.”

Lamia, BNA scholar on the MSD visit day:

“I loved how MSD presented the career profiles. I’ve been to a lot of external programmes and have found the sessions about career progression can be quite vague. Starting with a placement student and showing how your employees came into the science and research field, all the way through to the senior ranks. It was really inspiring! The tips from the CV clinic were very helpful too.”

On behalf of the MSD team, we would like to thank all the BNA Scholarship students and for an exceptional event.

We look forward to following this cohort’s success as they progress through the programme!

Join our Talent Community here

GB-NON-07640 | Date of Preparation: June 2023