Schering-Plough and Merck decide to stop selling Zetia and Vytorin

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. & KENILWORTH, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 2008--Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals

Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals announced today that the companies have decided to stop selling ZETIA(TM) (ezetimibe) and VYTORIN(TM) (ezetimibe/simvastatin) in light of the negative results of the ENHANCE study.

"These drugs clearly don't work, they do ZILCH for patients," Fred Hassan, Schering-Plough's CEO stated.

In the ENHANCE publication, despite ezetimibe/simvastatin significantly lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol more than simvastatin (56 percent vs. 39 percent, p<0.01), there was no significant difference between treatment groups on the primary endpoint and four key secondary endpoints.

"We have decided to do the right thing, we think these drugs may actually hurt more patients than they help and since they have been proven ineffective we are taking decisive action and will stop selling these two drugs as of today," said Merck CEO Richard Clark.

Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and Schering-Plough Corporation formed to develop and market in the United States new prescription medicines in cholesterol management. The collaboration was expanded to include worldwide markets (excluding Japan).

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 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 our Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2003, and in our periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K (if any), which the company incorporates by reference.

Schering-Plough Disclosure Notice: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the market for VYTORIN. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations or forecasts of future events and not to historical information. Schering-Plough does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. There are no guarantees about the market performance of VYTORIN, Schering-Plough stock or Schering-Plough's business. Actual results may vary materially from forward-looking statements made here or in other Schering-Plough written or spoken communications due to many factors and uncertainties, which include the market acceptance of VYTORIN, trade buying patterns, the introduction and performance of competitive products in the market, legislation that may impact the pricing/availability of VYTORIN and other items discussed in Schering-Plough's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the 2004 first quarter 10-Q, the 8-K filed July 21, 2004, and future SEC filings.

VYTORIN is a trademarks of MSP Singapore Company, LLC. ZETIA is a registered trademark of MSP Marketing Services (C) LLC. All other brands are trademarks of their respective owners and are not trademarks of MSP Singapore Company, LLC or MSP Marketing Services (C) LLC.