What can we help you find?

October 4, 2011 7:00 am ET

Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada, announced
it has added medication adherence resources to its consumer health and
wellness Web site. With research showing that three-out-of-four
Americans fail to take their prescribed medicines as directed, the new
resources are designed to help consumers stay on course with their
treatment and have better conversations with their health care
professionals about the medicines they have been prescribed.

“Medication non-adherence has become a serious public health concern,
and is a major reason why patients fail to reach clinical goals,” said
Sethu Reddy, M.D., vice president, U.S. Medical Affairs, Merck. “We are
providing this information to help people understand the importance of
taking their medicine as directed.”

The resources available on MerckEngage.com
include the Adherence Estimator®, a one-minute, evidence-based survey
designed by Merck scientists to categorize patients into three groups –
those who are at low, medium, or high risk for not adhering to a
newly-prescribed medicine. After consumers answer three simple questions
regarding their beliefs about a medicine, the tool provides easy to
understand, personalized information which may address patient’s
concerns about taking that medication.

“Merck’s research over the past several years shows that health beliefs
can be strong predictors of who may or may not take their prescribed
medical treatment,” said Dr. Reddy. “Our studies point specifically to
three health beliefs that are the best predictors: understanding why the
medicine is needed and being committed to its use, concern about taking
the medicine, and perceived cost issues.”

Once identified, the potential barriers of commitment, concern and cost
may be addressed through effective dialogue between a consumer and
his/her doctor, pharmacist, or other health care professional.

In addition to the Adherence Estimator, the new site includes a
medication worksheet, tips for taking medicine, articles, and links to
trusted sites where consumers can find more information about the
importance of taking medicines as directed by a health care
professional. Other areas of MerckEngage.com
offer consumers a broad range of free, simple, personalized health
information and resources to help improve healthy living.

“Merck is committed to continuing our focus on scientific research that
identifies the reasons why people do not always adhere to their
prescribed medicines, and supporting the development of improved
interventions that can lead to better outcomes,” concluded Dr. Reddy.
“We hope these resources will be widely disseminated and used.”

For more information, visit: www.MerckEngage.com/RxForHealth.

About Merck

Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be
well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada.
Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and
consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and
operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health
solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to
healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For
more information, visit www.merck.com
and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Merck Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include,
but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger
between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and
operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives,
expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical
facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and
expectations of Merck’s management and are subject to significant risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to
differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the
possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and
Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the
expected time period; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation
and health care legislation; the risk that the businesses will not be
integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more
difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck’s
ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on
the effectiveness of Merck’s patents and other protections for
innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health
policies in the United States and internationally and the exposure to
litigation and/or regulatory actions.

Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be
found in Merck’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company’s other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at
the SEC’s Internet site (www.sec.gov).

[Adherence Estimator® is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme
Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA.
U.S. and non-U.S. patents pending.]