Merck & Co Inc (NYSE:MRK)

Merck & Co., Inc. discovers, develops and markets a broad range of human and animal health products. It is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines to address unmet medical needs. The company's products cover a broad range of areas, including heart and respiratory health, infectious diseases, sun care and women's health. It provides various health solutions through its prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, animal health, and consumer care products. The company operates its business through four operating segments: Pharmaceutical, Animal Health, Consumer Care and Alliances. The Pharmaceutical segment includes human health pharmaceutical and vaccine products marketed either directly by the company or through joint ventures. Its human health pharmaceutical products consist of therapeutic and preventive agents, generally sold by prescription, for the treatment of human disorders. The company sells these products primarily to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, government agencies and managed health care providers, such as health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers and other institutions. Its vaccine products consist of preventive pediatric, adolescent and adult vaccines, primarily administered at physician offices. The company sells these vaccines primarily to physicians, wholesalers, physician distributors and government entities. The Animal Health segment discovers, develops, manufactures and markets animal health products, including vaccines, which it sells to veterinarians, distributors and animal producers. The Consumer Care segment develops, manufactures and markets over-the-counter, foot care and sun care products, which are sold through wholesale and retail drug, food chain and mass merchandiser outlets in the United States and Canada. The Alliances segment includes revenue from the company relationship with AstraZeneca LP. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Whitehouse Station, NJ.