Ideas worth spreading

How we're tracking medical donations across the world

Christian Schröter • TED@Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

What if you could track donations of medicines that help treat over one billion of the world's poorest people against neglected tropical diseases, the same way you track the package you order on Amazon? Working with supply chain experts from around the world, biochemist Christian Schröter developed a method for tracking medical donations from the warehouse to places like the back country of Mozambique -- all using something as simple as a cellphone.

What if you could track donations of medicines that help treat over one billion of the world's poorest people against neglected tropical diseases, the same way you track the package you order on Amazon? Working with supply chain experts from around the world, biochemist Christian Schröter developed a method for tracking medical donations from the warehouse to places like the back country of Mozambique -- all using something as simple as a cellphone.

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Read more about the TED Institute.

About the speaker

Christian Schröter

Business integrator

Christian Schröter is a biochemist at Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, working as Head of Pharma Business Integration in Darmstadt, Germany. Four years ago, he got involved in the Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany/WHO donation program to treat children in Africa against schistosomiasis. He is passionate about providing treatments against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) to the poorest members of the world community. Working together with other partners from industry, public organisations and NGOs, he appreciates what can be achieved through a close collaboration not typical between competing commercial organisations.

About TED Institute

Every year, TED works with a group of select companies and foundations to identify internal ideators, inventors, connectors, and creators. Drawing on the same rigorous regimen that has prepared speakers for the TED main stage, TED Institute works closely with each partner, overseeing curation and providing intensive one-on-one talk development to sharpen and fine tune ideas. The culmination is an event produced, recorded, and hosted by TED, generating a growing library of valuable TED Talks that can spur innovation and transform organizations.

Read more about the TED Institute

This talk was presented at a TED Institute event given in partnership with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.

Read more about the TED Institute.