Dear Merck Employees:

Today, a jury in Atlantic County Superior Court in Atlantic City, N.J., rejected a claim by one of two plaintiffs that VIOXX contributed to his heart attack. The jury also awarded a compensatory award to a second plaintiff.

The trial is continuing into the punitive phase for the second plaintiff. We will present evidence that we believe shows that the Company submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration all relevant and material information concerning VIOXX.

We will make further statements after the jury completes its deliberations after this phase of the trial.

Sincerely,


Ken Frazier
Senior Vice President and General Counsel