US drugmaker, Merck & Co, is a leading global research-driven pharmaceutical products and services company. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of innovative products to improve human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures. Its products, generally sold by prescription, include therapeutic and preventive agents for the treatment of human disorders and animal health supplies. The company’s products are sold, primarily, to drug wholesalers and retailers, hospitals, clinics, government agencies and managed healthcare providers, such as health maintenance organisations and other institutions.