EXHIBIT 99.1

[LOGO MERCK/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals]                       NEWS RELEASE

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For Release:  IMMEDIATELY                           Contact:    Denise K. Foy
                                                                (908) 298-7616


                 MERCK/SCHERING-PLOUGH PHARMACEUTICALS ANNOUNCES
                   MARKETING APPROVAL IN GERMANY OF EZETIMIBE
                  FOR TREATMENT OF ELEVATED CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

                 First Approval in Major Market for Ezetimibe;
               Ezetimibe to be Marketed as EZETROL(TM) in Germany

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., and KENILWORTH, N.J., Oct. 17, 2002 -
Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals today announced that EZETROL(TM)
(ezetimibe) 10 mg Tablets has received marketing approval in Germany for use
alone and with all marketed statins for the treatment of elevated cholesterol
levels (hypercholesterolemia).

      The approval of ezetimibe in Germany represents the first step in seeking
marketing approval throughout the European Union (EU) under the EU's mutual
recognition procedure. In Germany, ezetimibe will be marketed under the
tradename EZETROL.

      A New Drug Application for ezetimibe was submitted to the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration on Dec. 27, 2001, and is currently under review.  If
approved in the United States, ezetimibe will be marketed under the tradename
ZETIA(TM).

      Cholesterol treatment is one of the largest and fastest growing
pharmaceutical markets. There is increased awareness about the importance of
treating patients with elevated cholesterol and further lowering cholesterol
levels in treated patients who are not achieving their cholesterol goals. With
its approval in Germany, EZETROL will be entering into a $19 billion worldwide
cholesterol market that is expected to exceed $30 billion by 2007.

      In Germany, EZETROL is also indicated for use with all marketed statins
for the treatment of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic
disorder that results in extremely high total


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cholesterol levels, and as monotherapy for the treatment of homozygous
sitosterolemia, a genetic disorder that results in elevated plant sterol levels
and premature atherosclerosis.

      Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals is a joint venture between Merck &
Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) and Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP), formed in
May 2000 and expanded in December 2001, to develop and market worldwide
(excluding Japan) new prescription medicines in cholesterol management.

      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 include statements regarding product development and
product potential. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual
results may differ materially from those projected. Additional detailed
information concerning a number of factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially is available in Item 1 of Merck's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended Dec 31, 2001, in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and in its
reports on Form 8-K (if any). Copies of these forms are available on request to
Merck's Office of Stockholder Services.

      SCHERING-PLOUGH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT: The information in this press
release includes certain "forward-looking" statements relating to the size of
the cholesterol treatment market, and the market potential for ZETIA in Germany
and in Europe, and the status of regulatory applications in the United States
and Europe. The reader of this press release should understand that the extent
that ZETIA is prescribed in Germany and in Europe will be determined by market
factors, and that the market viability of ZETIA is subject to substantial risks
and uncertainties. The reader of this release should also understand that the
approval of new drugs are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the
regulatory approval process, and that there are


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no assurances that ZETIA will be approved by the FDA for marketing in the United
States, or under the EU's mutual recognition procedure for marketing in other
European countries. In addition, the forward-looking statements may also be
adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development,
product availability, the extent of market acceptance of new products, current
and future branded, generic and over-the-counter competition, government
regulations and legislation, manufacturing issues, trade buying patterns, patent
positions, litigation and investigations. For further details and a discussion
of these and other risks and uncertainties, see the company's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings, including the company's 2001 annual report on Form
10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form
8-K.

     EZETROL and ZETIA are the Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals trademarks
for ezetimibe.
Merck & Co. Contacts

Media:      Chris Loder       (908) 423-3786, cell: (908) 403-9219
            Skip Irvine       (908) 305-5397
Investors:  Mark Stejbach     (908) 423-5185

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