But we believe we are especially well prepared because of our marketing abilities, the strength of our scientific data and our proven health management solutions. We retained our No. 1 position in the global market. Merck-Medco Managed Care continued its contribution to Merck's growth and strengthened our leadership in the competitive pharmacy benefits management industry. We filed regulatory applications worldwide for this important new medicine, which has tremendous potential for global health and for the Company's future. We're proud of our commitment to breakthrough research, and what it means for global health.
Physicians have new treatment options with proven health outcomes.
Health care systems have access to cost-effective pharmaceuticals that save lives and improve the quality of care while often replacing more expensive forms of treatment, such as hospitalization or nursing home care. Looking Ahead As proud as we are of our tradition of achievement, we're not resting on our laurels. We're ready for the challenges and competition of the future. Increasingly greater percentages of our overall sales derive from the 14 new drugs and vaccines we introduced since 1995. These important medicines accounted for 22 percent of worldwide human health sales in 1998, up from 2 percent just three years ago.