Growth in the ZETIA and VYTORIN franchises are expected to continue. T There are currently several candidates in Phase III that Merck plans to file in 2005 as well as Type 2 diabetes treatment and three vaccines. The fourth-quarter 2004 EPS anticipation is stated to be $0.48 to $0.53, which includes the impact of approximately "$700 to $750 million foregone sales of VIOXX. The result is anticipation by Merck for EPS guidance (2004 full-year) of $2.59 to $2.64. These amounts include withdrawal impact and next years negative affects of the DPS by $0.50 to $0.55."

Merck & Co., Inc. announced in a recent report that they had made submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) PROQUAD, which is a vaccine for children. The composition of the vaccine is a cocktail like mixture of the chickenpox, measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Also expected by Merck for submission is 'muraglitazar' which is the "first-in-class 'dual PPAR agonist for Type 2 diabetes treatment in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb."(Merck & Co, Inc. 2004)

In a December 7, 2004 Press Release the announcement made by the Board of Directors of Merck & Co., Inc. that a "Special Board Committee to review the company's actions prior to Merck's voluntary withdrawal of VIOXX, to act for the Board in responding to shareholder litigation matter related to the withdrawal of VIOXX and to advise the Board with respect to any action that should be taken as a result of the review."

IV. Competitive Countries:

Competitive Countries...

Europe follows the United States with 23.7% of global sales for the sum of %75.3 billion and an 8% year-over-year growth. Japan is the third top competitor with 16.2% of global sales in the amount of $51.5 billion and a 3% year-over- year growth followed by Latin America who claimed 6% of global sales for the sales figure of $18.9 billion and 9% year-over year growth. Asia, Africa and Australia follow Latin America with 5.9% of global sales equaling $18.7 billion and a 1-% year-over-year growth. The total sales for the pharmaceutical industry in 2000 were $317.20 billion with a 10% year-over-year growth.
Conclusion:

The pharmaceutical industry is an industry that will continue to be in demand especially due to the need for vaccines due to re-emergent diseases in the form of Tuberculosis and others which have emerged again that had been deemed extinct.

Bibliography:

"Merck Board Appoints Special Committee to Review VIOXX Withdrawal" 2004 Dec 2 Whitehouse Stations, N.J. [Online] available at: http://www.merck.com/news room/press_releases/corporate/2004_1207.html

The global pharmaceutical market in 2000 - North America sets the pace (nd) [Online] available at: http://www.ims-global.com/insight/news_story/0103 / news_ story _010 314.htm

Merck Announces Voluntary Worldwide Withdrawal of Vioxx…