Business Analysis: Merck & Co.

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Introduction Since its humble beginning as a small drugstore, Merck has placed a large amount of importance on improving the health and well-being of its customers. As drug patents expire and genetic forms of their top products become available, Merck’s strategy is to do the unexpected; instead of raising the price of their older products in favor of patent protected new drugs, Merck focuses on reducing their cost in order to better compete with their generic counterparts. Additionally, Merck’s plan for growth now encompasses a much more aggressive pursuit of new drugs in their pipeline through extensive research. Merck became the second largest health care company in the world after the merger with Schering-Plough in 2009 and has contributed great discoveries like the first cervical cancer vaccine and great resources like the Merck Manuals which are utilized as a source of information to doctors, scientists and consumers worldwide . Company History In 1891, George Merck established the first Merck & Co in the United States. The store was originally set up as an extension of his family’s drugstore and pharmaceutical factory which was created in 1668 by Friedrich J. Merck in Darmstadt, Germany. Due to the strained relationship between the United States and Germany during World War I, Merck & Co. was severed from its parent company in 1917 by the United States Government. In May 9, 1919, under government supervision, Merck put up for public auction 80% of their shares and finally concluded its separation from E. Merck in Darmstadt. 1953 brought on a new opportunity for Merck when it merged with Sharp & Dohme; a local Baltimore based company. This new partnership increased Merck’s customer based and resources. A decade late... ... middle of paper ... ...l (Accessed July 17,2011) 8. Merck. Merck.Com.n.d http://www.merck.com/product/vaccines/home.html (Accessed July 22,2011) 9. Merck. Merck.Com. n.d. http://www.merck.com/product/animal-health/home.html (Accessed July 09, 2011). 10. Collis, David, and Troy Smith. "Strategy in the Twenty-First Century Pharmaceutical Industry:Merck&Co. and Pfizer Inc." Harvard Business School, 2007: 8-12. 11. Merck. Merck.Com. n.d. http://www.merck.com/about/views-and-positions/sales-and-marketing/home.html (Accessed July 09, 2011) 12. Yahoo.finance.yahoo.com.n.d http://finance.yahoo.com/q/co?s=MRK+Competitors (Accessed July 22, 2011) 13.Merck.Merck.Com.n.dhttp://phx.corporate.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9OTYzMzB8Q2hpbGRJRD0tMXxUeXBlPTM=&t=1 (Accessed July 22, 2011) 14. Wikinvest.Wikinvest.com.n.d http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Merck_(MRK) (Accessed July 22, 2011)

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