Statement Issued by Dr. Peter S. Kim at the
FDA Advisory Committee Meeting

GAITHERSBURG, MD - Feb. 17, 2005 - When Merck made the decision to voluntarily withdraw VIOXX from the market, we stated that we believed that it would have been possible to continue to market VIOXX with labeling that would incorporate the data from APPROVe. We concluded, however, that based on the science available at that time, a voluntary withdrawal of the medicine was the responsible course to take given the availability of alternative therapies and the questions raised by the data.

Since we withdrew VIOXX from the market, the science has continued to evolve and new data on some of those alternative therapies have become available. Given this new information, it is not clear that the cardiovascular risk observed in APPROVe makes VIOXX unique in the class of similar drugs marketed in the U.S.

We do know that VIOXX offers unique benefits among coxibs marketed in the U.S. It was the only coxib with proven risk reductions in GI events vs. naproxen as demonstrated in the VIGOR study. Also, it was the only coxib that was not contraindicated in patients with sulfonamide allergies.

We also know that response to pain medication is variable. What works well for one patient may not work at all for others. We have heard numerous reports from patients, including patients with chronic, debilitating pain, that VIOXX was the only medicine that relieved their pain.

Merck is a data driven company. We made the decision to voluntarily withdraw VIOXX from the market in September based on the clinical data available at that time. In the past two days we have seen new clinical data on other medicines in this class. Merck believes that these data suggest a class effect, but the size of the class is uncertain. If the advisory committee and FDA conclude that the benefits of this class outweigh the risks in some patient populations, then we would have to consider the implications of these new data given the unique benefits VIOXX offers.

Merck has not altered its position on the voluntary withdrawal of VIOXX. Anything further would be speculation.

We look forward to hearing the committee's thoughts and concerns, and to discussing the outcomes of this meeting with the FDA and other regulatory authorities.

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 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 cautionary statements in Item 1 of Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2003, and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the company incorporates by reference.

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