When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast of the United States, Merck responded by taking several steps to assist with the massive relief efforts in the region.

The Merck Company Foundation made an immediate $1 million donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Merck employees and retirees donated approximately $750,000 to relief agencies responding to Hurricane Katrina - and later, Hurricane Rita - through the Company's matching funds program. These donations were matched 100 percent by The Merck Company Foundation, for a total contribution of $1.5 million. In addition, The Merck Company Foundation made cash contributions to Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy and Tulane University School of Medicine to assist their rebuilding efforts.

Merck also made substantial donations of our medicines and vaccines through impacted state health departments and relief agencies, donating more than $10.8 million to assist hurricane relief efforts across 10 states. This includes nearly $10.1 million in vaccines — including a donation of 1,470 doses of hepatitis B vaccine for AmeriCorps volunteers headed to the Gulf Coast — and more than $725,000 in non-vaccine pharmaceutical products. In addition, Merck made the commitment to replace prescription medicines for patients (through retail pharmacies) who lost their existing prescriptions as a result of the hurricanes. The total value of the medicines delivered/donated through the Prescription Replacement Program is an estimated $660,000.

Finally, Merck’s West Point, Pa., site donated an ambulance and 20 construction trailers to Mississippi that are being used as clinics and meeting places for community groups by four relief and faith-based organizations.