Merck Druggernaut; The

Summary

An in-depth look at big pharma's flagship company

The Merck Druggernaut takes readers inside Merck, the world's second most profitable drug company and maker of the world's bestselling drug, Prilosec. Consistently named one of Fortune magazine's Most Admired Companies, Merck struggles to maintain its reputation for being the most ethical of the big drug makers, refusing to slash research and development budgets in the face of declining profits, falling stock market prices, and questionable accounting. Author Fran Hawthorne, one of the leading journalists covering healthcare, has written an excellent examination of a business paragon with much-needed insight on the cutthroat world of pharmaceuticals. It's a story that will interest the business world as well as consumer and healthcare advocates by detailing the vital issues in medicine and healthcare today. More than just a compelling story of success in a difficult industry, more than simply the biography of one of big business's most recognizable names, The Merck Druggernaut takes a thoughtful look at some of the major issues of our time and the way those issues intertwine with the world of business.

Contents

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Chapter 1. In the Bull's-Eye.

Chapter 2. From Little Pharmacy to Big Pharma.

Chapter 3. Off the Cutting Edge.

Chapter 4. The Drugs of Tomorrow.

Chapter 5. The Freebie Circuit.

Chapter 6. Just Like Toothpaste.

Chapter 7. "It Is Not for the Profits", Part One: Prices and Politics.

Chapter 8. "It Is Not for the Profits", Part Two: The AIDS Debacle.

Chapter 9. Living with Mother Merck.

Chapter 10. A Different Business Model.

Notes.

Bibliography.

Index.