Merck & Co (US)

Merck is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, with a portfolio currently led by asthma treatment Singulair. The group has struggled against multiple setbacks in recent years, the most serious of which were the repercussions from defects in its blockbuster arthritis medicine Vioxx. Merck withdrew that product in 2004 after publication of a report which demonstrated that it increased the risk of heart attacks in some patients. A series of lawsuits ensued, although for the most part Merck was exonerated of any fault and later announced a settlement to cover all subsequent suits. As if that were not enough to contend with, the company's flagship product Zocor lost its patent in 2006, and Merck seemed to have comparatively few other blockbusters in its pipeline. Yet the company has made a dynamic recovery since then, turning what appeared to be a clutch of minor vaccines into what could now be substantial new products. Advertising Age estimated global measured advertising expenditure of $514m in 2006, making Merck the world's #63 advertiser. Click here to access the Adbrands profile (subscribers only); or subscribe to Adbrands.net here. Adbrands Company Profiles provide a detailed analysis of the history and current operations of leading advertisers, agencies and brands worldwide, and include a critical summary which identifies key strengths and weaknesses. Adbrands Account Assignments tracks account management for the world's leading brands and companies, including details of which advertising agency handles which accounts in which countries for major markets..

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Merck website

Crixivan	Vioxx
Fosamax	Zocor
Maxalt	Cozaar
Propecia	Merck Vaccines
Proscar	Merial
Zetia	Singulair

Merck Sharp & Dohme

Banyu Pharmaceutical

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