8-K

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 22, 2004

Merck & Co., Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey	1-3305	22-1109110
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
One Merck Drive, P.O. Box 100, Whitehouse Station, New Jersey		08889
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 908-423-1000

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Events.

Incorporated by reference is a press release issued by the Registrant on October 22, 2004, attached as Exhibit 99, concerning a correction to the Registrant's 2004 fourth-quarter product gross margin guidance, which was first issued on October 21, 2004.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c) Exhibits.

Exhibit 99 - Press release issued October 22, 2004

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Merck & Co., Inc.
October 22, 2004	By:	/s/ Debra A. Bollwage
		Name: Debra A. Bollwage
		Title: Assistant Secretary

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99	Press release issued October 22, 2004

EX-99

Exhibit 99

News Release

Media Contacts: Tony Plohoros
(908) 423-3644 Investor Contact: Michael Rabinowitz
(908) 423-5185

Merck Corrects Fourth-Quarter Product Gross Margin Guidance

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Oct. 22, 2004 – Merck & Co., Inc. is correcting one element of its 2004 fourth-quarter financial guidance, which was first issued on Oct. 21. The company estimates that product gross margin (PGM) will be approximately 76.5% to 77.5% for the fourth quarter. Previously, Merck estimated PGM of approximately 74.5% to 75.5% for the quarter. The full-year PGM guidance of 78% to 79% remains unchanged. This guidance excludes adjustments related to the withdrawal of VIOXX. All other elements of Merck’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2004 guidance remain unchanged.

About Merck

Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company. Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of innovative products to improve human and animal health, directly and through its joint ventures.

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 may include statements regarding product development, product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Merck’s business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements in Item 1 of Merck’s Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2003, and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K (if any) which the company incorporates by reference.

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