Merck & Co.

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Merck & Co., Inc.[edit | edit source]

Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)

Merck & Co., Inc., often referred to as Merck or the Company, stands as a globally-renowned, research-driven pharmaceutical entity. Founded with the primary mission to elevate both human and animal health, Merck has consistently pioneered a broad spectrum of innovative products. This commitment to health extends beyond the company's direct operations, also manifesting through various joint ventures.

Merck Research Laboratories

The company's vast reach extends to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, clinics, and various governmental agencies. It further encompasses managed health care providers, notably health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other similar institutions. To ensure the optimal use of its products, Merck's team of professional representatives actively engage with health care professionals. This includes those in private practice, group practices, and within managed care organizations. These representatives emphasize the efficacy, safety, and overall value of Merck's products.

Pneumovax 23
Merck office Upper Gwynedd Township Montgomery County

Distribution[edit | edit source]

Merck takes pride in its extensive distribution network. Its products predominantly reach customers through:

  • Drug wholesalers and retailers
  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Government agencies
  • Managed health care providers, such as HMOs
  • Various other institutions

Communication[edit | edit source]

Merck emphasizes a holistic approach to communication, ensuring that health care professionals are well-informed about the company's offerings. This is executed by:

  • Communicating the effectiveness of products
  • Highlighting the safety measures in place
  • Demonstrating the unique value propositions of each product
Zostavax powder for injection

Products[edit | edit source]

Merck's portfolio boasts a diverse range of products. These predominantly include therapeutic and preventive agents, which are usually available via prescription. They cater to a wide array of human disorders.

Most popular products[edit | edit source]

Merck's bestsellers encompass:

List of Merck products - glossary[edit | edit source]

  • Alendronate: A medication commonly used to treat osteoporosis and similar bone disorders.
  • Aprepitant: Used primarily for its antiemetic (preventing vomiting) properties.
  • Desloratadine: An antihistamine used to treat allergies.
  • Ertapenem: A type of antibiotic used for various bacterial infections.
  • Ezetimibe/simvastatin: A combination drug that includes both Ezetimibe and Simvastatin, used for cholesterol management.
  • Ezetimibe: A drug used to lower cholesterol levels.
  • Famciclovir: An antiviral drug, mainly used to treat herpes zoster and other herpes infections.
  • Finasteride: Commonly used for the treatment of an enlarged prostate or hair loss in men.
  • Fosaprepitant: An antiemetic drug used to prevent nausea and vomiting.
  • Indinavir: An antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV/AIDS.
  • Infliximab: A chimeric monoclonal antibody biologic drug that treats autoimmune diseases.
  • Loratadine: Another antihistamine used to treat allergies.
  • Losartan: A drug primarily used to treat high blood pressure.
  • Lovastatin: A medication used for cholesterol regulation.
  • Mometasone: A corticosteroid medication used to treat allergies, asthma, and skin conditions.
  • Montelukast: Used mainly to treat allergies and asthma.
  • Omarigliptin: An oral drug used to treat type 2 diabetes.
  • Raltegravir: An antiretroviral medication used to treat HIV/AIDS.
  • Rizatriptan: A medication primarily used to treat migraines.
  • Rocuronium bromide: A drug used in modern anesthetics to facilitate tracheal intubation.
  • Rofecoxib: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) previously used to treat pain but now withdrawn due to side effects.
  • Simvastatin: Another drug in the statin class, used to control hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol levels).
  • Sitagliptin: Used in the treatment of diabetes.
  • Temozolomide: An oral chemotherapy drug.
  • Tibolone: A synthetic steroid drug used mainly for hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women.
  • Urofollitropin: A purified form of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) used in fertility treatments.
  • Vericiguat: A medication for the treatment of heart failure.
  • Vorinostat: A drug used to treat some types of cancers.
  • rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine: A vaccine developed for the prevention of Ebola virus disease.




Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD