Singapore, October 7, 1998: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Singapore) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck and Co., Inc. of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, USA, today celebrated the Company’s official foundation laying for the construction of its new manufacturing facility in Singapore. Located in the Tuas section of Singapore, this facility will be dedicated to manufacturing bulk chemicals of human health pharmaceutical products to meet the increasing global demand for Merck Sharp & Dohme’s (MSD) innovative medicines. In June, the Company announced it is investing in excess of US$300 million to construct the new facility, to be operational in 2001.

"Since 1995, MSD has introduced 14 important medicines and now is preparing to launch another wave of new products -- significant innovations that continue our trend of entering new therapeutic categories," said Mr. Bernard J. Kelley, President of the Merck Manufacturing Division (MMD), during a morning briefing with the media. "As a result, worldwide demand for MSD products has grown significantly in recent years. To ensure continued bulk pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to meet that demand and the growing number of new products coming out of our research pipeline, the Company initiated this expansion at this time," Mr. Kelley added.

"MSD’s strategy for growth is working," Mr. Kelley emphasized. "As we look toward the future, Asia and the Pacific region offer tremendous opportunities. Together they represent nearly one-third of the world’s population among thirteen diverse countries," he said.

"MSD selected Singapore as the location for this facility because of its excellent business climate and commitment to innovation and excellence. Singapore offers an outstanding distribution system, efficient regulatory processes and a strong environmental commitment. Singapore’s world-class educational system and its highly skilled workforce also will play a positive role in maintaining Merck’s tradition of excellence in delivering products of the highest quality standards to patients around the world," underscored Mr. Kelley.

The MSD plant will be built on a thirty (30) acre site in the Pharmaceutical Zone, planned by the Singapore government to house pharmaceutical and biotech companies. At peak construction activity, MSD estimates there will be 800 construction workers involved in the project. Approximately 150 people will be employed by MSD when the facility is fully operational. "MSD will recruit the best talent from Singapore," said Mr. Kelley.

"MSD will conduct its manufacturing operations in a manner that protects the environment and safeguards the health and safety of its employees and the public," said Mr. Paul Martino, Managing Director, Singapore Manufacturing Plant, MSD (Singapore) Ltd. "The design proposed by MSD meets all the requirements as specified by the Singapore Pollution Control Department (PCD). It also meets MSD’s own stringent environmental and safety standards, consistently applied at other MSD sites around the world," added Mr. Martino.

Mr. Kelley announced that MSD would be presenting a letter of intent to the Economic Development Board (EDB) with a commitment toward the EDB’s scholarship program, designed to enhance the managerial, technical and entrepreneurial skills of students entering the manufacturing sector in Singapore. "This donation represents our company’s commitment to fostering an environment of innovation and progress.

We believe that skilled students are the promise of tomorrow. They are an important pillar on which the economic development and well-being of our countries stand. MSD is proud to be part of the bright future they represent as we begin forging a new partnership for progress with the government and people of Singapore" said Mr. Kelley.

The MSD Singapore chemical manufacturing facility will be a flexible, multi-product operation capable of producing various bulk active ingredients for MSD products.

In closing, Mr. Kelley reiterated a shared commitment to the economic and social well-being of the people of Singapore. "The fundamentals of a sound economy already exist in Singapore. Companies such as MSD are responding to the policies of innovation that are fostering economic growth. These policies have helped forge a partnership between Singapore and MSD and are laying the foundation for the continuing prosperity of this country," concluded Mr. Kelley.

Merck & Co., Inc., headquartered in Whitehouse Station, NJ, USA, is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of human and animal health products, directly and through its joint ventures.