Sustainable leadership in Vietnam’s healthcare: Katharina Geppert at the helm of MSD Vietnam

Having lived and worked in Vietnam for nearly four years, Geppert has developed a deep connection with the country and its people. She expressed the honor to collaborate with MSD Vietnam’s team of over 300 people to make a significant impact in this nation.

MSD came to Vietnam nearly 30 years ago and has contributed to the development of the healthcare industry. In 2017, MSD introduced immunotherapy for cancer treatment in the country. This groundbreaking therapy is approved for 27 indications across 13 different types of tumors, including lung, breast, and head and neck cancers. Geppert emphasized that these milestones go beyond numbers—they represent lives transformed and hope restored.

Ensuring access to healthcare is a top priority for MSD, with a focus on accelerating patient access to innovative vaccines and treatments, particularly for rare diseases.

MSD has also been a pioneer in introducing polyvalent vaccines in Vietnam, including those for 23 types of pneumococcal disease and 9 types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). These initiatives address major public health challenges in the region.

Geppert’s vision extends beyond healthcare innovation; she is dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability. She advocates for all of MSD Vietnam’s sustainability initiatives, including reducing plastic waste, conserving energy, minimizing waste from printing and event production, and organizing waste collection in cities where the company holds its annual national meetings, such as Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and soon, Dalat.

Geppert’s leadership also focuses on community engagement, especially in response to challenges like Typhoon Yagi, which devastated northern Vietnam. As a member of the Pharma Group under the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), she actively collaborates with employees and industry peers to develop practical solutions for recovery efforts. Recently, MSD Vietnam donated VND300 million (US$12,000) to the VnExpress’s Hope Foundation to support affected communities.

Katharina Geppert, on behalf of MSD Vietnam, donated VND300 million (US$12,000) to the Hope Foundation to support communities impacted by typhoon Yagi. Photo courtesy of Huy Vu

In addition, Geppert has fostered a culture of giving within MSD by organizing blood donation days. At the end of this October, MSD will partner with the American Chamber of Commerce in HCMC to host another blood donation drive, further reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility.

MSD, also known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA, in the United States and Canada, is a global company in the biopharmaceutical with over 130 years of history.

The company is at the forefront of research, delivering innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in both people and animals. In its 2023/2024 Impact Report, the company is on track to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2045.

For six consecutive years, MSD has been honored with the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency and/or the American Chemical Society.