Merck Anticipates Higher Than Expected First Quarter Results; Reaffirms Full-Year 2005 Earnings Per Share Guidance

Business Wire, April 13, 2005

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. -- Merck & Co., Inc. announced today that it anticipates its first quarter earnings per share (EPS) will be 62 cents, subject to final review of its first quarter results. Merck attributed these anticipated results to a number of factors including ongoing cost management, the favorable impact of foreign exchange and overall revenue performance. Sales of Merck products were consistent with the company's expectations. The company reaffirmed its previously announced 2005 full-year EPS guidance of $2.42 to $2.52.

This guidance does not reflect the establishment of any reserves for any potential liability relating to the VIOXX litigation. This guidance also does not reflect any changes currently under consideration by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the way issuers account for stock options. Furthermore, this guidance does not include any one time impacts that may result from the repatriation of permanently reinvested off-shore earnings under the American Jobs Creation Act.

As previously announced, Merck will report its actual first quarter earnings on Thursday, April 21. The company will hold its first-quarter 2005 sales and earnings conference call with institutional investors and analysts beginning at 9 a.m. ET that day. During the call, Graeme Bell, senior director, Investor Relations, will provide an overview of Merck's financial performance for the quarter.

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.