Statement on FOSAMAX® (alendronate sodium) Product Liability Trial in New Jersey State Court

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., - Merck will vigorously defend itself in a jury trial set to begin today in the Superior Court for Atlantic County, New Jersey. The company believes the evidence will show that FOSAMAX did not cause the plaintiff to develop dental and jaw-related problems as she claims and that Merck provided appropriate and timely information about FOSAMAX to the medical, scientific and regulatory communities.

In Rosenberg v. Merck, the plaintiff alleges she used FOSAMAX from 1999 to 2006. The plaintiff further alleges she suffered various jaw problems and complications following a tooth extraction in December 2005.

“Unfortunately, the plaintiff had medical problems that cause people to develop jaw problems, regardless of whether they were taking FOSAMAX,” said Christy Jones of Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada PLLC, outside counsel for Merck. “She had an extensive history of periodontal and endodontic treatments and she took a number of powerful steroid medications that are known to suppress the body’s immune system and inhibit the body’s ability to heal. The evidence will show that the plaintiff would have experienced dental and jaw-related problems whether she took FOSAMAX or not.”

Judge Carol E. Higbee of the Superior Court for Atlantic County, New Jersey will preside over the trial.

“Merck acted responsibly in researching and developing FOSAMAX and in monitoring the medicine ever since it has been on the market. Our clinical trials, conducted both before and following approval, have involved more than 28,000 patients, including more than 17,000 treated with FOSAMAX,” said Bruce N. Kuhlik, executive vice president and general counsel of Merck. “The company provided appropriate and timely information about FOSAMAX to consumers and to the medical, scientific and regulatory communities.”

FOSAMAX was approved as a safe and effective medication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in September 1995 and is still on the market today and approved for multiple indications, including the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Merck is represented by Christy Jones of Butler, Snow, O’Mara, Stevens & Cannada PLLC in Ridgeland, Mississippi and Eileen Muskett of Cooper Levenson April Niedelman & Wagenheim, P.A. in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Status of Litigation
This is the fourth FOSAMAX case to go to trial. The first three trials were conducted as part of the federal multidistrict litigation proceedings before Judge John F. Keenan in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The first case to be tried to a verdict, Maley v. Merck, resulted in a defense verdict for Merck in May 2010. The second case to be tried to a verdict, Boles v. Merck, initially resulted in a mistrial in September 2009 after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. A retrial of that case in June 2010 resulted in a plaintiff verdict, which has since been reduced by Judge Keenan and which Merck is appealing. The third case to be tried to a verdict, Graves v. Merck, resulted in a defense verdict for Merck in November 2010. As of September 30, 2010, approximately 1,180 cases, which include approximately 1,560 plaintiff groups, had been filed and were pending against Merck in either federal or state court.

About FOSAMAX
FOSAMAX is indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. FOSAMAX should not be used in patients with certain disorders of the esophagus that delay emptying, who are unable to stand or sit upright for at least 30 minutes, who have low levels of calcium in their blood, or in patients who are allergic to FOSAMAX. Some patients may develop severe digestive reactions including irritation, inflammation or ulceration of the esophagus. Patients who experience new or worsening heartburn, difficulty or pain when swallowing or chest pain should stop taking the drug and call their doctor right away. Patients who develop severe bone, joint and/or muscle pain at any time should contact their doctor. Osteonecrosis of the jaw, generally associated with tooth extraction and/or local infection with delayed healing, has been reported in patients taking bisphosphonates.

About Merck
Today’s Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com.