The Ministry of Health (MoH), the Chinese Medical Doctor Association (CMDA) and Merck Sharp & Dohme (China) Ltd. (MSD China) jointly launched an osteoporosis treatment program at a press conference in Beijing on Oct. 10.

The program, to be implemented from 2010 to 2012 in major cities across China including Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Chengdu, will offer trainings for doctors, free osteoporosis screenings for the elderly as well as oesteoporosis education in communities.

"MSD China will also assist over 200 hospitals to set up osteoporosis treatment centers and clinics," Michel Vounatsos, president of MSD China, said at the press conference.

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones, making them more susceptible to fractures, and usually occurs among the elderly. Alendronate sodium, sold under the Fosamax brand, is a widely-used osteoporosis drug in many countries including China and is produced by MSD.

When contacted by Interfax on Oct. 12, MSD China declined to comment on the total amount of funding and medication it has allocated for the program.

Statistics from the International Osteoporosis Foundation show there were 69 million osteoporosis patients in China as of the end of last year. The total number of patients in China is expected to surge to 286 million by 2020.

Editor: Lucy