Many Merck subsidiaries around the world have initiatives that promote ethical business practices:

MSD Korea: Young Schweitzer Program to Promote Medical Ethics

Since 2001, the Young Schweitzer Program has worked to encourage ethical practices among young medical professionals. A partnership between MSD Korea, Korean Doctor's Weekly and the Korean Society for Medical Ethical Education, the program recognizes interns and medical students who demonstrate outstanding public service and scientific research through the Young Schweitzer Awards. Another program component, The Young Schweitzer Academy, provides medical students with the opportunity to explore extracurricular education courses in medical ethics.

MSD Mexico: Encouraging Ethical Business Practices

MSD offices in Latin America have initiated several programs to encourage ethical business practices. MSD Mexico recently funded research by the Pan-American Institute of Business Management (IPADE) on the impact business ethics had on Mexico's performance and growth in 2004. Researchers interviewed executives from eight leading national and transnational corporations. The case studies derived from this research will be shared with more than 2,000 business executives who attend IPADE programs.

MSD Argentina: Promoting Transparency

MSD Argentina partnered with the U.S. Embassy and the Catholic University of Buenos Aires to promote ethical and transparent business practices through "International Rules Against Corruption," a certificate program for government officials. MSD Argentina also supports the Center for Implementation of Public Policies for Equity and Growth (CIPPEC), a nonprofit organization that promotes public policy in education, health, justice, transparency and taxation.

MSD Spain: MSD Award for Research in Business Ethics

Designed to encourage research and discussion of corporate responsibility issues, the MSD Award for Research in Business Ethics is the first European initiative of its kind. Established by MSD Spain, the program seeks to raise awareness of the role of ethics in business and recognize best practices. The award's first call for submissions generated 16 research studies from across various sectors, including hospitals, business schools, nongovernmental organizations and universities. This year, 10 studies have been submitted to date, most of them from highly regarded entities and business schools.

To learn more about Merck's values and standards, click on the links below:

• Ethics in Action
• Improving the Business Environment
• Ethics Around the World