11.26.2007

Two companies – two logos: Merck KGaA is not Merck & Co

In the past month, South African media have extensively reported on the withdrawal of the pharmaceutical product Vioxx. The drug is produced by the American pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., and distributed in South Africa by its subsidiary MSD, Merck, Sharpe & Dohme.

In the past month, South African media have extensively reported on the withdrawal of the pharmaceutical product Vioxx. The drug is produced by the American pharmaceutical company Merck & Co., and distributed in South Africa by its subsidiary MSD, Merck, Sharpe & Dohme.

In the media coverage, the abbreviated company name Merck with the logo of the pharmaceutical and chemical company Merck South Africa, a subsidiary of Merck KGaA, was repeatedly used. However, there is no connection between Merck South Africa and Merck & Co.’ They are two commercially and legally independent companies.

The similarities in the names of the two companies are a result of common roots in Germany, beginning with the purchase of the pharmacy Engel-Apotheke in Darmstadt in 1668 by Friedrich Jacob Merck. The American subsidiary Merck & Co. was founded in 1891 in the course of expansion. In 1917 Merck & Co. became an independent company with no relations to Merck KGaA.

Should you require material relating to Merck South Africa, please do not hesitate to contact Inzalo Communications (011) 646 9992. Press information on Merck KGaA is available on www.merck.de. Information regarding Merck & Co. is available on www.msd.de.
http://www.merck.co.za/home.asp?PID=731&ToolID=2&ItemID=1114

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