Merck products are marketed in most major markets and more than 100 countries. Our evidence-based, customer-focused marketing strategy is designed to implement and leverage the product’s unique benefits. Our scientific approach defines opportunity for the product based on unmet patient need and demonstrates the product’s distinct advantage.

Brand recognition is a key component of our commercial success. We have expertise in turning products into global brands by developing and implementing consistent brand messages, colors, logos, and illustrative style across countries and regions. Our integrated marketing campaigns take a multimedia approach: from publications to public affairs activities, sales aids, advertising, the Internet, exhibits, electronic media, and physician and patient education. This comprehensive approach ensures brand recognition while at the same time educating physicians and patients about the benefits of our products. When a physician travels to a professional meeting abroad or visits with a local sales representative, each physician will be familiar with the consistent branding and messages.

We maximize the product’s success by identifying new indications and patient populations, as well as innovative formulations throughout the life of the product. Large clinical outcomes studies such as the Heart Protection Study (HPS) for ZOCOR® (simvastatin), the Fracture Intervention Trial (FIT) for FOSAMAX® (alendronate sodium), and the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study for COZAAR® (losartan potassium) demonstrate our products’ value and extend the growth of our products.

A product’s life cycle also benefits from our optimization of multi-product franchises, such as hypertension VASOTEC® (enalapril), PRINIVIL® (lisinopril) , COZAAR® (losartan potassium) , HYZAAR® (losartan potassium and hydroclorothiazide), atherosclerosis (ZOCOR® (simvastatin), ZETIA® (ezetimibe), VYTORIN® (ezetimibe/simvastatin) ), and antibiotics (MEFOXIN® (cefoxitin for injection), PRIMAXIN® (imipenem and cilastatin for injection) , INVANZ® (ertapenem for injection)). Product franchises allow us to demonstrate excellence in a therapeutic category and leverage our marketing reach and expertise.

Our sales representatives have a deserved reputation among physicians as the most respected in the business. And with more than 20,000 sales representatives worldwide, in primary care, specialty care, and hospital medicine, our alliances are supported by one of the largest pharmaceutical sales forces in the world driving sales of innovative products. Our sales representatives provide true global market coverage of all physician segments, with global execution of marketing strategies customized for local optimization.

In the United States, we have more than 7,000 sales representatives. Our sales force comprises office-based representatives who provide product support in a variety of areas, as well as field specialists who provide more individualized product support. We also have a dedicated hospital and managed-care sales force, as well as Health Science Associates who focus on opinion leader development in specific therapeutic areas.