TREDAPTIVE(TM) Recommended for EU Approval for the Treatment of Mixed Dyslipidemia or Primary Hypercholesterolemia

Merck, Sharp & Dohme (MSD) today announced that the Committee for

Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended marketing

approval for TREDAPTIVE(TM) (nicotinic

acid/laropiprant, MSD) 1000 mg / 20 mg modified-release tablets for the

treatment of mixed dyslipidemia or primary hypercholesterolemia.

TREDAPTIVE, the name of CORDAPTIVE (TM)(ER

niacin/laropiprant) in the European Union (EU), combines a nicotinic

acid (niacin) and laropiprant, a novel flushing pathway inhibitor.
The proposed indication for modified-release nicotinic acid/laropiprant

is for the treatment of dyslipidemia, in particular in patients with

combined mixed dyslipidemia which is characterized by elevated levels of

LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides and low levels of

HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), or primary hypercholesterolemia (heterozygous

familial and non-familial). This treatment should be used in combination

with a statin when the cholesterol lowering effect of statins is

inadequate, or as monotherapy when statins are considered inappropriate

or not tolerated. Diet and other non-pharmacological treatments, such as

exercise and weight loss, should continue during therapy with

modified-release nicotinic acid/laropiprant.
The CHMP issued a positive opinion following a review of comprehensive

data supporting the efficacy, safety and tolerability profile of

modified-release nicotinic acid/laropiprant. Marketing authorization

from the European Commission is expected by early July and will apply to

the 27 countries that are members of the EU, plus Norway and Iceland.
CHMP recommendations do not apply to regulatory decisions by the US Food

and Drug Administration (FDA) and investors should make no inferences

about pending FDA regulatory actions based on the recommendation by the

CHMP.
About Merck Sharp & Dohme
Merck & Co., Inc. (Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A.), which operates in

many countries as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD, is a global

research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients

first. Established in 1891, the Company currently 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 its

medicines but 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 www.merck.com.
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 risk factors and

cautionary statements in Item 1A of Merck´s Form 10-K for the year ended

Dec. 31, 2007, and in any risk factors or cautionary statements

contained in the Company´s periodic reports on Form 10-Q or current

reports on Form 8-K, which the Company incorporates by reference.