This program is a welcome measure to help the
45 million Americans without access to needed medical care, including
prescription drugs. The Zogby poll released
today shows that a majority of Americans who have imported drugs from other
countries including Canada did so because of the cost savings (56 percent).

When patients enroll over the phone or web, they will receive an active
membership ID that they can use right away at their local pharmacy to receive
greater discounts without having to wait for their permanent membership card.
They will receive their permanent Merck discount card in the mail within two
weeks. (For a complete
product list, go to http://www. For more
information , visit http://www. These
statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ
materially from those set forth in the statements.

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Knowing the Rules: Consumers Must Understand Health Plan Rules to Ensure Uninterrupted Access to Needed Medications

* A particular medication may react badly with another medication you're
on or with another medical condition you have.
However, the poll also found that 73 percent of respondents would join a
discount prescription program and purchase their medications in the United
States if the cost of their prescriptions were comparable.
Maxey, MD, President, Alliance for Minority Medical Associations (AMMA).
The Merck Prescription Discount Program is the latest of many initiatives
by Merck to improve access to its medicines in the United States and around
the world. The dispensing pharmacy may charge
fees, but Merck will receive no portion of these fees.

(1) Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured
estimates based on pooled March 2003 and 2004 Current Population
Surveys. Representative Rush Holt also spoke at the seminar, which included
counselors from the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to answer
individual Medicare questions ." said Margaret Chester, Executive Director of the MCDA.

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"They are highly trained and thoroughly familiar with patients
and their medicines."
The program offers several tips to help consumers who encounter problems
filling a prescription, including situations where:

* The information your pharmacy has about your plan doesn't match what
is on your pharmacy benefit ID card . Puckrein, PhD, Executive Director,
National Minority Health Month Foundation.org.S.

Merck is committed to making sure its drugs reach people in need, anywhere
in the world.

Forward -Looking Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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The Web resource explains all of these situations and provides tips on how
to resolve these problems."
For more information and for a list of current partners, please see
http://www. Watt (D-NC) -- and leaders from national
organizations such as AARP, the Alliance for Children and Families, the
Alliance for Minority Medical Associations and the League of United Latin
American Citizens -- are voicing support for the new Merck initiative., Inc.

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* The medication is not covered by your health plan, or is not on the
"formulary," the list of medicines covered by the plan. It also explains to consumers how to file an appeal if the
plan refuses to cover a medicine the patient needs. We are stepping in to make an immediate
difference in the lives of millions of people by helping uninsured Americans
obtain access to our medicines.S."
"AARP is encouraged by Merck's decision to provide a Discount Prescription
Drug Program for the uninsured.
Patients also can print out Instant Savings Certificates at
http://www.
Merck is launching an aggressive communications and grassroots campaign,
including targeted communications to groups most at risk, to raise awareness
of the program and encourage enrollment.

About Merck
Merck + Co.

Centers for Medicare + Medicaid Services Join Middlesex County Department on Aging to Educate New Jersey Seniors on New Medicare Drug Coverage

According to CMS, most of the new enrollees in stand-alone drug plans chose
plans offering benefits other than the "standard" drug benefit.
"We hope guests will share this new information with their friends and loved
ones so they can feel confident making the right decision about their drug
coverage.

As partners in the community the Middlesex County Department on Aging
provides leadership in the development and implementation of programs and
services that enable Middlesex County seniors to remain independent in the
community.

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The resources offered by
http://www.YourPharmacyBenefit .

Governor Bill Richardson Supports New Merck Uninsured Discount Program Targeted To More Than 45 Million Patients Without Drug Coverage

, Inc.
The Merck Prescription Discount Program, to be launched April 25, will provide
all uninsured Americans, regardless of age or income, with easy and immediate
access to discounts of 15 to 40 percent off many Merck medicines. Spanish-speaking operators are also available. Patient Assistance Program (PAP) for 50 years.)
Many Merck medicines will be available through the Merck Prescription
Discount Program, including such products as COSOPT(R)(dorzolamide
hydrochloride and timolol maleate), EMEND(R) (aprepitant), FOSAMAX(R)
(alendronate sodium), MAXALT (R) and MAXALT MLT(R) (rizatriptan benzoate),
PROSCAR(R) (finasteride), SINGULAIR (R) (montelukast sodium), TRUSOPT(R)
(dorzolamide hydrochloride) and ZOCOR(R) (simvastatin). Total US numbers are based on March 2004 estimates.3 million beneficiaries who
have signed up individually for prescription drug coverage in the last three
months, including 1.

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It also provides other important information
including how to understand "insurance-speak," and who to contact when
questions arise.S.

The Program Provides Instant Access to Savings; Free and Easy Enrollment
Starting April 25, under the Merck Prescription Discount Program, patients
can present an innovative Instant Savings Certificate(2) to their pharmacist
along with a valid prescription and immediately save at least 10 percent on
many Merck prescriptions.com
-- Or mailing in an enrollment form that they can obtain at their local
pharmacy and doctor's office. The forward-looking
statements may include statements regarding product development, product
potential or financial performance. "Medicare 's new program is a great
benefit to seniors, but as with any large program, people will have questions
about signing up for individual coverage.

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The program offers
guidance for navigating drug coverage , tips for troubleshooting problems, and
a sample appeal letter and a glossary of important terms , available at
http://www.
To obtain even greater savings of 15 to 40 percent, patients can enroll in
the Merck Prescription Discount Program starting April 25. pharmacy. Through this program ,
Merck provided more than 5. Merck also
publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service.
(4) The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, "The Uninsured: A
Primer.J.

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"
The poll, which was commissioned by Merck, shows a pervasive worry of
losing health care/prescription drug coverage by many Americans, with 84
percent characterizing the growing number of uninsured in this country as a
"large problem. The
Merck PAP will continue to assist low-income patients, while the new discount
program announced today will expand the Company's assistance to all uninsured
patients regardless of age or income.com. 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 . "We were privileged to have Ms.

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"Consumers will find this site helpful in giving them information about
how prescription drug coverage works so they can ensure their medicines are
accessible and affordable," said Gary A. Rep. and Chair of the
Congressional Black Caucus Melvin L. The certificates will be available in pharmacies,
doctors' offices, clinics, churches and community centers free of charge.(3)
-- Visiting http://www. Magazine and radio advertisements
will begin appearing next month. Merck has provided millions of low-income patients with free
medicines through its U .
(3) Enrollment by phone is not available to California residents. Congressman Rush Holt Served as Special Guest

PRINCETON, N.

gabe healthfinder

"
Simultaneous to today's announcement , Zogby International released a
national poll finding that a large percentage of Americans (49 percent ) worry
about losing their health insurance and prescription drug coverage more than
the loss of a job (30 percent) and the loss of their home (37 percent).
The data also suggest the possibility of a "Health Care Trap" where 2 in 5
workers (39 percent) "strongly agree" that they would remain in jobs they
dislike because of their worry of losing their health care/prescription drug
coverage if they were to leave, with an additional 18 percent "somewhat
agreeing. Kennedy said.
Patients can enroll starting April 25 by:
-- Calling 1-800-50 MERCK between 8 am and 8 pm Eastern Time Monday
through Friday. Once enrolled, they can present their card with their prescription at
virtually any U.

The Merck Patient Assistance Program -- For 50 years, Merck has provided
its medicines free through its Patient Assistance Program to millions of
eligible low-income patients with no prescription drug coverage. Patients may
qualify if they have a household income of $19,140 or less, $25,660 or less
for couples, or $38,700 or less for a family of four.6 million free prescriptions to nearly 700,000
patients in 2004.5 million who signed up in the last 30 days.

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In an effort to help consumers to become educated and prepared, eleven
groups representing consumers, pharmacies , physicians, patients and
pharmaceutical companies have teamed up to provide free tips and resources to
help consumers understand how prescription drug benefits work and find out
what to do if coverage for their medicine is denied.J.merckuninsured.merckuninsured.
More than 8 in 10 of the uninsured come from working families - 70 percent
from families with one or more full-time workers and 12 percent from families
with part-time workers. In addition to its U.

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For
consumers becoming familiar with new plans and seniors starting to use their
Medicare prescription drug benefit, this may mean trouble when filling
prescriptions for the first time.
"Pharmacists can be a patient's greatest ally in navigating new drug
coverage programs," said Mary Ann Wagner, the senior vice-president for
pharmacy , policy and regulatory affairs at the National Association of Chain
Drug Stores., Governor Bill
Richardson of New Mexico supports the action taken today by pharmaceutical
company Merck + Co .com. I commend the Middlesex County
Department on Aging for its work to educate and support New Jersey seniors. This includes
plans with low or no deductible, fixed copays for most prescriptions instead
of coinsurance, or coverage in the coverage gap or "donut hole. Medicare also offers extra assistance to low-income
Americans with their prescription drug costs.
Repke join us today at this important educational seminar, as well as
Representative Holt.

assesses mayoclinic

Until there is a public or private solution for this
gap, Merck is offering help.
Relative to their numbers in the overall population , members of racial and
ethnic minority groups make up a disproportionate share of the uninsured
population . No forward-looking statement can be
guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected.

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S. "I hope all pharmaceutical manufacturers will follow
Merck's example and make their medications more affordable.S.S. Established in 1891, Merck discovers,
develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines in more than 20
therapeutic categories.

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We feel this initiative is in keeping with AARP's own
ongoing efforts to make prescriptions affordable and accessible to all
Americans," said John Rother, Director of Policy and Strategy, AARP.86 a month for FOSAMAX at
his or her local pharmacy will pay about $65.
(2) Not available to California residents.

aarp webmd

Advice to Help Consumers Get What They Need
From Their Prescription Drug Benefit

WASHINGTON, The new plan year often brings a change
to health insurance plans and the rules that go along with them. More Than 400,000 New Mexicans Stand To Benefit

Americans Fear Losing their Prescription Drug Coverage More Than the Loss of a
Job or Home, New Zogby Poll Reveals

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.00 when enrolled in the Merck
Prescription Discount Program, a savings of nearly 21 percent. Under the Merck program, once a low-income beneficiary has
exceeded his/her government allowance, Merck will provide its medicines free
to that beneficiary's participating discount card plan. Qualifying Medicare
beneficiaries do not have to apply for this special discount from Merck; they
can simply show their participating discount card when they fill their
prescriptions to receive the discount. assistance programs, the Company donated
in 2004 more than $400 million worth of medicines and vaccines in more than 60
countries to more than 40 million patients to address urgent health care needs
and disaster relief in the developing world.
For more information on both U. But it is critical that seniors understand their options and the
resources available to them if they need help.

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6 percent of the
population -- or 45 million people -- lacked health insurance coverage in
2003. And for patients who are paying for
medications out-of-pocket, any cost savings can make a difference.

Additional Patient Assistance Programs -- There are separate patient
assistance programs for a number of other prescription medicines, including
CANCIDAS(R) (caspofungin acetate) for Injection, CRIXIVAN(R) (indinavir
sulfate) Capsules, EMEND (R) (aprepitant), INVANZ(R) (ertapenem for injection),
PRIMAXIN(R) (imipenem and cilastatin for injectable suspension) and
PRIMAXIN(R) (imipenem and cilastatin for injection). 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."
Seniors who attended the presentation also had the opportunity to receive
free glaucoma screenings provided by Prevent Blindness Tri-State with support
from Pfizer Ophthalmics.

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org. Of the
uninsured in New Mexico, 82 percent are from working families. Human
Health, Merck."
Government officials from both parties -- including Edward Kennedy (D-MA),
U. For most Merck
products in the new Merck Prescription Discount Program , discounts are greater
than or competitive to those available through Canadian pharmacies."

Number of Uninsured Continues to Grow in America
According to the U. Officials estimate that even more lack prescription drug coverage.(4) Low-wage workers are at greater risk, as are those
employed in small businesses, service industries and blue-collar jobs.com)
"As a physician, I see uninsured patients struggling to meet their health
care bills including the cost of medication," said Dr.S .
Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise. Key Facts about Americans without Health Insurance," November
2004, pg 4. More than
400,000 new beneficiaries have chosen Medicare Advantage health plans."
In addition to prescription drug coverage the new Medicare coverage also
includes preventative services such as screenings and tests for those at risk
for certain illnesses.

uhealthy healthlink

But even those who are continuing on with the same plan as last year may
experience some of the same frustrations.

* It's too early to refill the prescription.

* The medicine your doctor prescribed requires your plan's prior
approval.
"I am pleased to hear of Merck's new Prescription Discount Program to
provide the uninsured access to Merck drugs they need at prices more like
those paid by those fortunate enough to have good health insurance coverage,"
Sen. Margo Denke, a private-
practice endocrinologist and professor at the University of Texas Health
Science Center in San Antonio. The Merck
Prescription Discount Program can help many patients better afford their
[Merck] medications. and worldwide Merck assistance programs,
visit http://www.com., Seniors and people living with
disabilities were briefed today about the new Medicare prescription drug
benefit at an event sponsored by the Middlesex County Department on Aging
(MCDA ).

readability interactively

And
consumers may not be aware of issues that may impact copayments and lists of
preferred medicines, thus causing problems when trying to fill a prescription. "Nobody wants to be surprised by
having to pay out of pocket for a prescription they thought their insurance
would cover., to assist patients in the United States without
prescription drug insurance. "Unfortunately, more than 45 million people in this country do
not have such coverage.merckhelps.

"
"We need to make sure that Medicare Part D is working as well as possible
for New Jersey seniors," said Rep . Holt.

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YourPharmacyBenefit.
Merck announced a new comprehensive prescription drug discount program
designed to benefit the more than 45 million uninsured in the United States.
"AMMA supports Merck's Prescription Discount Program's aggressive effort
to get affordable medicines into the hands of the uninsured," said Randall W.
"Merck's program is simple to participate in and it addresses a major health
care problem that disproportionately affects minorities working without
prescription insurance coverage.
The Merck Prescription Drug Program and the Merck Patient Assistant
Program also will be available through state-level prescription drug
clearinghouse programs and the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a
national initiative launched by The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers
of America earlier this month to bring together member companies' patient
assistance and discount programs in a single point of access. "Whenever I write a prescription for my
patients, cost has to be a consideration.merck. "The program is imperfect; that much
is obvious.

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YourPharmacyBenefit .(1)
"As we search for ways to increase access to quality health care and
affordable prescription drugs for the 400,000 uninsured New Mexicans, it is
imperative that we enlist private-sector partners , like Merck, to provide
discounts to our most vulnerable citizens," said Gov. House Majority Whip Roy Blunt ( R-MO) and U. For example, under
the program, an uninsured patient who now pays $82. Census Bureau, an estimated 15.S. 31, 2004, and in its periodic reports on
Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the company incorporates by reference."
The number of enrollees includes more than 5.

mayoclinic aarp

org are more valuable tools for helping
patients make sure their healthcare needs are met. This web site is managed by the National
Pharmaceutical Council.pparx.merckuninsured."

Legacy of Putting Patients First
For 50 years, Merck has helped millions of people get Merck medicines
through a variety of programs, including:

Merck Program to Assist Medicare Enrollees -- In February 2004, Merck
announced a new program to assist low-income Medicare enrollees who have
exhausted their annual $600 transitional allowance from the federal
government. Call 1-800-727-5400 for more information.
"Initially, many seniors may have been hesitant to sign up because they
heard the process was confusing or suffered from problems, but we have moved
beyond the initial challenges and Medicare is helping over 25 million people
save money on their prescription drugs," said Samantha Repke, Partnership
Developmental Task Leader, Region II, CMS.

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Rules can vary from health
insurance plan to health insurance plan and even from one pharmacy visit to
the next because plans are allowed to make changes throughout the year.
New Mexico alone has nearly 400,000 uninsured residents who could
potentially be helped by this new program, according to a report by the Urban
Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. Richardson. "The Merck
Prescription Discount Program offers tangible assistance for New Mexicans and
all Americans who currently lack access to affordable medicine."
"We believe our medicines should be available to everyone, regardless of
whether they have drug coverage," said Margaret McGlynn, President, U.

The "Canada Option " - Most Americans Favor Discount Card over Imports
The Merck Prescription Discount Program comes as the debate over the
importation of prescription medications continues.
Enrollment is free and easy; there is no annual membership or hidden fees. (For more
information, go to http://www.org . is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company
dedicated to putting patients first. Guests gathered at the Radisson Hotel Princeton to hear special guest
Samantha Repke of the Centers for Medicare + Medicaid Services (CMS) discuss
the importance of understanding the new coverage and answer questions about
enrolling. CMS is happy to have the
opportunity to explain the advantages of the program and answer questions
people may have.

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