RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Merck Results:
Merck And Co. Pharmaceuticals, Drug Research And Development
By:
Published: August 31, 2007
As far as expansive research based pharmaceutical companies go, Merck and Co. stands as one of the world's largest. Out of the countless TV commercials touting the latest drugs, Merck produces some of the most notable medicines on the market. From Vytorin for lower cholesterol to Propecia for male pattern baldness to the highly controversial and recalled arthritis medication Vioxx, Merck develops and markets drugs that can be found in most American households and in hospitals around the world.
The research and development of progressive drugs is a highly competitive and controversial industry, and Merck stands as one of the most notable pharmaceutical companies in the world.
Begun in the United States in 1891 as a subsidiary of a German drug manufacturer, Merck has grown into one of the top seven highest grossing drug companies in the world. During WWI, the German company was confiscated and reestablished as an independent business. Over the next half century, Merck and Co. became heavily involved in the research, development and marketing of groundbreaking drugs and medicines, expanding across oceans and rising to the top of the pharmaceutical industry. Today, Merck employs over 60,000 people in over 30 factories in over 120 countries worldwide.
The focus by Merck on research based drug development has involved it in some of the biggest and most relevant drug crises in history. Drug companies race each other to discover and develop the latest medicines in order to corner the market and cash in on popular demand. But the road from concept to government approved and marketable drug is a long one which requires research companies such as Merck to constantly push forward on all fronts. Sometimes the rush to get progressive treatments on the shelves leads to controversial oversights and scandals that can be detrimental to a company's success. Merck found this to be true with its arthritis, anti inflammatory drug known as Vioxx.
The Vioxx drug recall of 2004 devastated Merck and Co. and ultimately led to massive layoffs, the early retirement of the company's CEO, and thousands of ongoing lawsuits. Merck released Vioxx in 1999 to remarkable success. The arthritis medication was stronger and more effective than any other on the market, and thus became one of the most prescribed drugs in history. However, research studies came to show Vioxx increased the risk of heart attack in patients and was thought to be the cause of death in several cases. Whether or not Merck knew of the dangers of Vioxx and released it anyway is still a matter for debate, but the Vioxx drug recall still haunts the multi-billion dollar company to this day.
The pharmaceutical industry is massive, complex and nothing if not controversial. The development of drugs and medicines is integral to the well being and survival of human beings around the world; however, the amount of money involved continually brings up scandals and questions. Merck may have taken a hit from Vioxx, but remains one of the most progressive, influential and important pharmaceutical companies today. Whether most people know it or not, Merck plays a role in their lives, even if it is only through Propecia commercials on television.
Sources:
"Research Philosophy." Merck.com. 2007. Merck and Co. Inc. 29 Aug. 2007. http://www.merck.com/mrl/philosophy.html.
"About Merck." Merck.com. 2007. Merck and Co. Inc. 29 Aug. 2007. http://www.merck.com/about/.
"Merck & Co." Wikipedia. 28 Aug. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. 29 Aug. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merck_%26_Co.
Related Articles
Begun in the United States in 1891 as a subsidiary of a German drug manufacturer, Merck has grown into one of the top seven highest grossing drug companies in the world. During WWI, the German company was confiscated and reestablished as an independent business. Over the next half century, Merck and Co. became heavily involved in the research, development and marketing of groundbreaking drugs and medicines, expanding across oceans and rising to the top of the pharmaceutical industry. Today, Merck employs over 60,000 people in over 30 factories in over 120 countries worldwide.
The focus by Merck on research based drug development has involved it in some of the biggest and most relevant drug crises in history. Drug companies race each other to discover and develop the latest medicines in order to corner the market and cash in on popular demand. But the road from concept to government approved and marketable drug is a long one which requires research companies such as Merck to constantly push forward on all fronts. Sometimes the rush to get progressive treatments on the shelves leads to controversial oversights and scandals that can be detrimental to a company's success. Merck found this to be true with its arthritis, anti inflammatory drug known as Vioxx.
The Vioxx drug recall of 2004 devastated Merck and Co. and ultimately led to massive layoffs, the early retirement of the company's CEO, and thousands of ongoing lawsuits. Merck released Vioxx in 1999 to remarkable success. The arthritis medication was stronger and more effective than any other on the market, and thus became one of the most prescribed drugs in history. However, research studies came to show Vioxx increased the risk of heart attack in patients and was thought to be the cause of death in several cases. Whether or not Merck knew of the dangers of Vioxx and released it anyway is still a matter for debate, but the Vioxx drug recall still haunts the multi-billion dollar company to this day.
The pharmaceutical industry is massive, complex and nothing if not controversial. The development of drugs and medicines is integral to the well being and survival of human beings around the world; however, the amount of money involved continually brings up scandals and questions. Merck may have taken a hit from Vioxx, but remains one of the most progressive, influential and important pharmaceutical companies today. Whether most people know it or not, Merck plays a role in their lives, even if it is only through Propecia commercials on television.
Sources:
"Research Philosophy." Merck.com. 2007. Merck and Co. Inc. 29 Aug. 2007. http://www.merck.com/mrl/philosophy.html.
"About Merck." Merck.com. 2007. Merck and Co. Inc. 29 Aug. 2007. http://www.merck.com/about/.
"Merck & Co." Wikipedia. 28 Aug. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. 29 Aug. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merck_%26_Co.
