WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) today launched the MerckSource Doctor's Bag, a new online search tool available only on MerckSource.com. Inspired by the bag carried by doctors of yesteryear, the Doctor's Bag is a downloadable search engine that provides a direct link to the vast array of free, credible and unbiased health information available on this Web site. MerckSource.com is an advertising-free online resource that provides consumers with free health information written and edited by third-party medical professionals.

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"In today's busy world, searching for health information must be convenient," said Dr. Marie Savard, an internationally recognized physician and champion for patient rights. "However, most patients want information they can trust and that is not promotional. I recommend MerckSource.com to my patients because they can quickly and easily find health trackers, disease information, medical news and other resources they need to improve their health."

In an age in which the Internet has become an important information conduit for many people, the MerckSource Doctor's Bag is ideal for those who search for health information online. In a recent Merck-sponsored online survey of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and over, 89 percent said they have used the Internet to search for health information. The survey also found that 79 percent of respondents search the Internet for health information because it is convenient and saves time. With the Doctor's Bag, users now can quickly and easily access from their desktop a variety of health topics available on MerckSource.com.

Once downloaded from MerckSource.com, the Doctor's Bag appears as an icon on the user's Windows(R) desktop. When a user double-clicks on the Doctor's Bag, it opens to reveal a search toolbar directly linked to the free, unbiased, non-promotional and expert-reviewed health information on MerckSource.com. To download the MerckSource Doctor's Bag, visit http://www.MerckSource.com/drbag .

About MerckSource.com

Merck & Co., Inc. provides MerckSource.com as a service to the community as part of its century-long commitment to providing unbiased health information to consumers and health care professionals, which began with the publication of the first Merck Manual in 1899. Health resources available at MerckSource.com include:

    -- Health Centers with information tailored for men, women, children and
       caregivers.
    -- Advice from Dr. Marie Savard, a patient advocate, to help better manage
       your health.
    -- Information resources, such as suggested questions to ask your doctor,
       quick access to support groups, and symptom checkers.
    -- Virtual Body Tour and 3-D Medical Animations, which provide an up-close
       look at over 140 body systems, processes and health conditions.
    -- Easy-to-use Health Tools, including health trackers, disease risk
       assessments, and "calculators" for weight, BMI and other important
       health information.
    -- Free newsletters e-mailed directly to you about your condition of
       interest.


    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 to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but also 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 http://www.merck.com .

Merck 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 are based on management's current expectations and 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, 2005, and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by reference.

SOURCE Merck & Co., Inc.