Acquisitions, Divestitures, Research Collaborations and License Agreements	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Acquisitions, Divestitures, Research Collaborations and License Agreements [Abstract]
Acquisitions, Divestitures, Research Collaborations and License Agreements	3. Acquisitions, Divestitures, Research Collaborations and License Agreements In May 2011, Merck completed the acquisition of Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Inspire”), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing ophthalmic products. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Merck acquired all outstanding shares of common stock of Inspire at a price of $5.00 per share in cash for a total of approximately $420 million. The transaction was accounted for as an acquisition of a business; accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. The determination of fair value requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. In connection with the acquisition, substantially all of the purchase price was allocated to Inspire’s product and product right intangible assets and related deferred tax liabilities, a deferred tax asset relating to Inspire’s net operating loss carryforwards, and goodwill. Certain estimated values are not yet finalized and may be subject to change. The Company expects to finalize these amounts as soon as possible, but no later than one year from the acquisition date. This transaction closed on May 16, 2011, and accordingly, the results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the Company’s results of operations beginning after the acquisition date. Pro forma financial information has not been included because Inspire’s historical financial results are not significant when compared with the Company’s financial results. In March 2011, the Company sold the Merck BioManufacturing Network, a leading provider of contract manufacturing and development services for the biopharmaceutical industry and wholly owned by Merck, to Fujifilm Corporation (“Fujifilm”). Under the terms of the agreement, Fujifilm purchased all of the equity interests in two Merck subsidiaries which together own all assets of the Merck BioManufacturing Network comprising facilities located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and Billingham, U.K.; and including manufacturing contracts; business support operations and a highly skilled workforce. As part of the agreement with Fujifilm, Merck has committed to certain continued development and manufacturing activities with these two companies. The transaction resulted in a gain of $127 million in the first six months of 2011 reflected in Other (income) expense, net.

3. Acquisitions, Divestitures, Research Collaborations and License Agreements

In May 2011, Merck completed the acquisition of Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Inspire”), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing ophthalmic products. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Merck acquired all outstanding shares of common stock of Inspire at a price of $5.00 per share in cash for a total of approximately $420 million. The transaction was accounted for as an acquisition of a business; accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. The determination of fair value requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. In connection with the acquisition, substantially all of the purchase price was allocated to Inspire’s product and product right intangible assets and related deferred tax liabilities, a deferred tax asset relating to Inspire’s net operating loss carryforwards, and goodwill. Certain estimated values are not yet finalized and may be subject to change. The Company expects to finalize these amounts as soon as possible, but no later than one year from the acquisition date. This transaction closed on May 16, 2011, and accordingly, the results of operations of the acquired business have been included in the Company’s results of operations beginning after the acquisition date. Pro forma financial information has not been included because Inspire’s historical financial results are not significant when compared with the Company’s financial results.

In March 2011, the Company sold the Merck BioManufacturing Network, a leading provider of contract manufacturing and development services for the biopharmaceutical industry and wholly owned by Merck, to Fujifilm Corporation (“Fujifilm”). Under the terms of the agreement, Fujifilm purchased all of the equity interests in two Merck subsidiaries which together own all assets of the Merck BioManufacturing Network comprising facilities located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina and Billingham, U.K.; and including manufacturing contracts; business support operations and a highly skilled workforce. As part of the agreement with Fujifilm, Merck has committed to certain continued development and manufacturing activities with these two companies. The transaction resulted in a gain of $127 million in the first six months of 2011 reflected in Other (income) expense, net.