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A medication to treat male pattern hair loss and motorsport might seem at first glance an odd partnership. On closer examination you’ll find a successful and established multinational company known for its innovation and expertise supporting a sport that shares the same aims.
It all began in 2000 when PROPECIA® (finasteride, MSD) first aligned itself with the Rally NZ. Organisers were struggling to find a sponsor with competing events, other sports and the arts competing for a large percentage of the available sponsorship dollars. PROPECIA itself had only been in the NZ market since 1998 so was still establishing its position in the marketplace. Merck Sharp & Dohme NZ, the company behind the brand PROPECIA, has operated in New Zealand over the past 40 years and had never considered sports sponsorship as part of its marketing mix.
2002 marks the partnership’s third year and in that time, with the support of PROPECIA, Rally NZ has gone from strength to strength and attained an international standard with added achievement in 2001 of being awarded the title of "Rally of the Year" beating out the other 13 participating countries.
The success of the partnership to date has led Merck Sharp & Dohme to take the step of extending their sponsorship to 2006. In that time it is anticipated that the sport will continue to develop and improve with the event getting better and better each year. The success of the sport and the event itself lies heavily in its ability to achieve the level of quality and organisation that only a sizeable budget will allow. The Rally itself is still supported by a large volunteer base, but the sponsorship funds have allowed for improvements to the practical (including safety), organisational and visual aspects of the event. This world class status is notable throughout and leading up to the three day event.
And it doesn’t stop there. The PROPECIA sponsorship also supports future Rally champions through its scholarship programme. Each year, a prize of $10,000 plus entry to the PROPECIA Rally of NZ gives one hopeful New Zealand rally driver the chance to compete at an international level and invest in their future. This year’s winner was 24 year old Richard Mason from Masterton. The money will help him get his car up to spec and the opportunity to compete at this year’s PROPECIA Rally of NZ, an important part of his future competitive development.
Another initiative from PROPECIA to extend support of the sport to a wider audience is the PROPECIA and Subaru Rally Car Design competition. Open to tertiary arts students, the competition brief is to come up with an innovative design for a PROPECIA branded Subaru rally car. This year’s winner of $2000 prize money and tickets to the Manukau Super Stage was Jae Morrison, a design student at AUT. The car is signwritten with the student’s design, with the student learning valuable practical lessons as he works alongside the signwriters as they make his design come to life. The car is driven and displayed at all the PROPECIA Rally of NZ events and becomes a visible representation of the student’s idea.
Merck Sharp & Dohme NZ are a company that works closely with its sponsorship partners and with Rally NZ this is no exception. Interest in motorsport is growing amongst the New Zealand public, with many of our young drivers aspiring to be the next Possum Bourne or the next Colin McRae. Heroes come in all guises and sport has always been a good role model for the young. Whether it be rugby, netball, cricket, basketball or rally, sports and international sporting success is an important part of the social fabric of all New Zealanders both young and old.
PROPECIA (finasteride, MSD) (pronounced pro-pee-sha) is the first oral prescription medicine for men to treat male pattern hair loss. MSD NZ's parent company is Merck & Co., a US pharmaceutical company which over the past 50 years, has discovered and developed more break-through medicines than any other research institution - public or private - in the world. PROPECIA has been prescribed for more than one million men worldwide.
More information about PROPECIA is available at www.propecia.co.nz or by calling Merck Sharp & Dohme on 0800 500 673
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE USING PROPECIA (finasteride) 1mg tablet:
PROPECIA is indicated for the treatment of men with male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) to increase hair growth and prevent further hair loss. PROPECIA should not be taken by women and patients who have a hypersensitivity reaction. Precaution should be taken in regard to pregnant women handling PROPECIA tablets. A decrease of serum prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) may be seen upon testing. Common side effects are: decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, ejaculation disorder, decreased volume of ejaculate (each of these adverse effects occurred in less than two men in one hundred), testicular pain, breast tenderness/enlargement and hypersensitivity. PROPECIA is a private purchase prescription only medicine that the patient will need to pay for. Price may vary across different pharmacies. Consult your doctor to see if PROPECIA is right for you, a normal doctors visit fee will usually apply. Use only as directed and if symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health professional. Marketed by: Merck Sharp & Dohme (NZ) Limited, Newmarket, Auckland. For detailed prescribing information, consult the data sheet or consumer medicine information by clicking the links below or phoning on 0800 500 673 or refer to the Medsafe website www.medsafe.govt.nz . [MPI-PPC-2]
PROPECIA (finasteride, 1mg) is a PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE used in the treatment of hair loss in MEN ONLY. PROPECIA costs around $100 for 28 tablets. Use strictly as directed. If you have concerns consult your doctor. Note: women who may be or are pregnant must not take PROPECIA, or handle crushed or broken tablets, because of risk of a specific kind of birth defect. Side effects: rarely, sexual problems. ®PROPECIA is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc, Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA. Marketed in New Zealand by Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Ltd, Auckland.
Click here for Prescribing Information.
Click here for Consumer Medical Information.
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