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Merck Announces Prescription Replacement Program for Patients Who Lost Medicines in Hurricane Katrina; Patients Will Have Access to Medicines Through Emergency 30-Day Supply

Posted on: Tuesday, 13 September 2005, 09:01 CDT

Replacement Program Adds to Merck's $7.7 Million Cash and Product Donations to Date

Merck & Co., Inc. announced today that it is replacing prescription medicines through U.S. retail pharmacies for patients who have lost their existing Merck medicines as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Merck is honoring requests for replacement product dispensed in areas directly affected by Hurricane Katrina, as well as requests from patients who have been evacuated or displaced to other locations.

This new program is in addition to Merck's contribution of more than $7.7 million in cash and product donations to date in support of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

"Immediately after the hurricane struck the Gulf Coast, Merck made a commitment to work with retail pharmacies to replace prescription medicines for patients impacted by the devastating effects of the hurricane," said Bradley T. Sheares, Ph.D., President, U.S. Human Health. "Replacing lost Merck medicines ensures patients will continue to have access to their much-needed prescriptions."

Information about the emergency program is being disseminated to pharmacies and physicians. Under the program, Merck is providing up to a 30-day supply for patients who need replacement of their existing Merck medicines that were lost or damaged as a result of the hurricane and the subsequent flood. Patients requiring replacement refills from retail pharmacies that are not in operation will be encouraged to seek refills from local or state agencies, where Merck is also providing medicines and vaccines.

The need for a replacement prescription must be verified to the best of the pharmacist's or physician's knowledge, and the replacement prescription must be filled prior to Sept. 30 in order for patients to receive their medication.

Merck will provide replenishment of product to community pharmacies that provide required data but will not offer financial reimbursement, debit or credit memos or charge-backs for product dispensed under emergency conditions by retail pharmacies. All replacement prescriptions must be dispensed in accordance with the prescribing physician's instructions and applicable law.

Patients who need further assistance beyond 30 days are encouraged to contact Merck regarding other available programs, such as the Merck Patient Assistance Program, which provides free medicines for eligible patients without prescription drug coverage. Information on the Patient Assistance Program can be obtained by calling 1-800-727-5400 or by accessing www.merck.com.

Merck has already made substantial cash and product donations for the massive relief effort. In addition to the $1 million cash donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Merck has donated more than $6.7 million of medicines and vaccines. Among the products donated by Merck are vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB), pneumococcal infection, varicella (chickenpox), and measles, mumps and rubella.

About Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines in more than 20 therapeutic categories. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

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, 2004, and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the company incorporates by reference.

Source: Business Wire

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