Merck & Co., Inc. Statement on Health Reform Meeting with President Obama

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., May 11, 2009 - In a meeting with President Obama at the White House today, Merck Chairman and CEO, Richard T. Clark, said the company is prepared to do its part to achieve comprehensive health care reform.

"I told President Obama today that Merck will continue working with his administration and Congress to achieve real health reform this year and to resolve the affordability and access barriers that deny too many people medical care," said Mr. Clark.  "We believe health reform, if done properly, will be good for patients and align perfectly with our mission."

Today's meeting underscores several serious proposals already put forth by Merck.  The company has been advocating for health care reform and has taken positions on the controversial issues that must be addressed to bring about comprehensive reform this year.

"Successful health care reform will build on and improve on our existing public-private system that is uniquely American," said Mr. Clark.  "I've seen how market competition can lower costs in the pharmaceutical sector, and the goal of systemic health reform should be to foster greater market competition around quality and price."

Merck has long advocated for the creation of an independent body that will give providers and patients better information on the comparative effectiveness of different treatments and health care services.  We believe all patients should know what their medical choices are and what it cost them as consumers.

The company also supports proposals to reduce health spending by increasing competition around health outcomes for patients, and for changing the tax code to remove the incentives for unlimited health care spending.   Furthermore, we believe all individuals should be required to purchase health insurance, every employer should provide insurance or pay into a fund, and the government should provide subsidies or insurance for those who cannot afford it.

For more information on Merck's policy positions visit: www.merck.com/about/public_policy/home.html

About Merck
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first.  Established in 1891, Merck currently discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs.  The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them.  Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service.  For more information, visit www.merck.com.

Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements.  The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding product development, product potential or financial performance.  No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected.  Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.  Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck's business, particularly those mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A of Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2008, and in any risk factors or cautionary statements contained in the Company's periodic reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by reference.

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