EXHIBIT 24(b)

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY


      Each of the undersigned does hereby appoint Celia A. Colbert and Kenneth
C. Frazier, and each of them severally, to be his or her true and lawful
attorney or attorneys to execute on behalf of the undersigned (whether on behalf
of Merck & Co., Inc., or as an officer or director thereof, or by attesting the
seal of the Company, or otherwise) a Registration Statement in connection with
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of deferred
compensation obligations and shares of Common Stock of Merck & Co., Inc. which
may be distributed under Merck & Co., Inc. Deferral Program covered by this
Registration Statement, including amendments thereof and all other documents in
connection therewith.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this instrument has been duly executed as of the 26th
day of November 2002.

                                             MERCK & CO., INC.


                                       By:   /s/ Raymond V. Gilmartin
                                             --------------------------------
                                             Raymond V. Gilmartin
                                             Chairman of the Board, President
                                             & Chief Executive Officer; Director


                                             /s/ Judy C. Lewent
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Judy C. Lewent
                                             Executive Vice President & Chief
                                             Financial Officer
                                             (Principal Financial Officer)


                                             /s/ Richard C. Henriques, Jr.
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Richard C. Henriques, Jr.
                                             Vice President, Controller
                                             (Principal Accounting Officer)

                                    DIRECTORS

/s/ Lawrence A. Bossidy                       /s/ Heidi G. Miller
------------------------------------          ---------------------------
Lawrence A. Bossidy                           Heidi G. Miller



/s/ William G. Bowen                          /s/ Edward M. Scolnick
------------------------------------          ---------------------------
William G. Bowen                              Edward M. Scolnick



                                              /s/ Thomas E. Shenk
------------------------------------          ---------------------------
Johnnetta B. Cole                             Thomas E. Shenk



/s/ William M. Daley                          /s/ Anne M. Tatlock
------------------------------------          ---------------------------
William M. Daley                              Anne M. Tatlock



/s/ William B. Harrison, Jr.                  /s/ Samuel O. Thier
------------------------------------          ---------------------------
William B. Harrison, Jr.                      Samuel O. Thier



/s/ William N. Kelley
------------------------------------
William N. Kelley