The story of Merck & Co. Inc., the world's fifth-largest drug maker, began in 1887 when chemist Theodore Weicker came from Germany to establish a foothold for E. Merck AG in the U.S. The company took a hit last year when top blockbuster drug Vioxx was briefly recalled due to evidence that the drug increased the risk of heart attacks. Since the recall was voluntary, Vioxx could be back, but it's unlikely to garner the $2.5 billion in sales it had in 2003. Numerous lawsuits may further drain the company's coffers.
Despite the company's Vioxx woes, Merck posted a 2 percent growth in sales in 2004, hitting $22.9 billion. Net income was $5.8 billion, a decrease of 14.9 percent from the previous year. In addition to Vioxx, some of Merck's key products include cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor, osteoporosis treatment Fosamax, hair-loss drug Propecia, anti-acid Pepcid and the allergy medication Singulair.
Merck has spent $40.7 million on lobbying over the past seven years.