Our thoughts remain with the families and communities along the Gulf Coast of the United States that have been devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent flooding in the region. 

Merck has taken several steps to assist with the enormous relief efforts that are under way:

• The Merck Company Foundation made an immediate $1 million donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to support relief efforts associated with Hurricane Katrina.
  
  
• To date, Merck has donated more than U.S. $10.8 million in medicines and vaccines to assist Hurricane Katrina relief efforts across 10 states. This includes nearly $10.1 million in vaccines and more than $725,000 in non-vaccine pharmaceutical products. Included in our vaccine donations is a donation of 1,470 doses of hepatitis B vaccine for AmeriCorps volunteers headed to the Gulf Coast.
  
  
• In the aftermath of Hurricane Rita, Merck is working closely with the Departments of Health of Texas and Louisiana and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to assess the need for donated Merck vaccines, antibiotics and other necessary medicines. At the same time, we continue to work with state and local officials to assess the on-going needs in the states affected by Hurricane Katrina.
  
  
• Merck also has made a commitment to replace prescription medicines for patients (through retail pharmacies or Merck's U.S. Patient Assistance Program) who may have lost their existing prescriptions as a result of the two hurricanes. This program has been extended to include patients impacted by Hurricane Rita and will now run through October 15. 
  
  
• U.S.-based Merck employees and retirees may make cash contributions to relief agencies responding to the disaster through the Company's matching funds program. Donations made through this program will be matched dollar for dollar with funds from The Merck Company Foundation.

Merck continues to work with our own divisional and regional management, local health authorities and relief organizations to determine how best to help victims of these two natural disasters as well as our own Merck family who have been affected.

About Disaster Relief at Merck

Through the Merck Medical Outreach Program (MMOP), Merck donates pharmaceuticals and vaccines to select, qualified, U.S.-based private voluntary organizations (PVOs) to support disaster relief and emergency situations worldwide. The MMOP also provides medicines and vaccines to select PVOs for use in the developing world. Established in 1958, the MMOP is one of Merck’s longest-standing philanthropic programs.

In general, Merck works through established channels and with trusted partners to provide medicines and vaccines to assist disaster relief efforts. In certain cases, Merck also provides cash donations. In recent years, Merck contributions went to assist earthquake survivors in Iran; flood victims in Germany, Haiti and the Dominican Republic; and hurricane relief efforts in Florida and Central America. Following the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami that struck Asia and parts of Africa, Merck and its employees made significant donations through cash, products and employee contributions to assist relief efforts in the region.

To learn more about disaster and emergency relief at Merck, click here.