...Case Study: Merck Acquisition of Medco Professor Daniel Weiss FI561 January 23, 2011 DeVry University Case Study: Merck Acquisition of Medco Abstract The purpose of this case study is to determine whether it would be beneficial to merge Merck Corporation with Medco Containment Services Incorporated. The merger and acquisition between the world’s largest drug manufacturer and the largest prescription benefits management company (PBM) and marketer of mail order medicines in the United States would result in a successful campaign to take over the drug industry if handled appropriately. As Chairman and CEO of Merck Corporation, I have to consider all sides of the arguments, financially, marketing and cultural wise and come to a conclusion as to whether this merger would be a good idea for the company. Like any other investment and merger, there are risks, and I have to decide what would be best in the interest of this company. The details as to whether the decision to acquire or not acquire Medco will be described in this paper. Along with data that helps make that final decision. There are a few things one must take into account before making a decision. You have to look at the long term run, whether or not the merger and acquisition will be successful. You also have to take synergy into account; it is the most important reason why there are a lot of mergers and acquisitions. Synergy would be when two companies join forces to create additional value and cut costs...
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...with pediatric indications for the drug (Goodman, 2008). Drug companies, their competitors which include other pharmaceutical companies, as well as generic companies understand this, thus enabling the drug companies to maximize product sales and royalties for many years (Goodman, 2008). These factors along with a declining economy, new healthcare regulations, political influences, changes in patent law, a change of the mentality from profits first, science secondary has lead to the decline in profits for the pharmaceutical industry. Although late adaptors to the “change”, unlike the banking and retail industries, pharmaceutical have been impacted as well and in order to stay competitive must make some serious changes (Goodman, 2008). Merck & Co., Inc is one of the top-tier drug makers. This corporation faces the multiple issues and challenges pertinent to pharmaceutical industry. This paper provides an overview of existing change models in within the framework...
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...Acquisitions is due to the many changing forces in the business environment. Competitiveness, survival and profitability are key factors to the M&A. In the case of Merck, the plan for acquisition of Medco followed as competitors such as SmithKline Beecham, Roche Holdings Limited Eli Lilly and Company announced their plans to acquire other pharmaceutical companies and Health systems such as those of Diversified Pharmaceutical Services Incorporate, Syntel Corporation and PSC Health Systems, respectively. There still exist concerns on the executive team's side regarding whether or not to move forward with the acquisitions. Some favor the move and some do not. There are concerns about the synergies and integration of a highly research oriented pharmaceutical company such as Merck with a drug marketing company like Medco. In addition, there are concerns on the need to continue increasing the stock price for Merck and about the different business cultures between the two and how they may not mix well. This could result in an expensive failure. On the other hand, the marketing department fully supports the acquisition. The acquisition will provide leverage for marketing opportunities in the managed care area, given the size of the database for Medco. So, the plan is for Merck to acquire Medco for a $6.6 billion offer. Clear and substantive analysis of the M&A is needed for better decision making. Medco is a Benefits Prescription Management Company that manages insurance claims, negotiate discounts...
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...Merck’s acquisition of Medco: Merger Analysis and Recommendation by Marzena Porebski . Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 2 2.0 THE COMPANY OVERVIEW 3 2.1 Merck & Company 3 2.2 Medco Containment Services Inc. 5 2.3 The Companies Advantages 6 3.0 MERCK & MEDCO MERGER 7 3.1 Acquisition Details 7 3.2 Merger Analysis 7 4.0 CONCLUSION 11 5.0 APPENDIX 12 5.1 Financial Reports 12 5.2 Sales of Drugs and Prices 13 5.3 Merger and Acquisition Activity 14 5.4 Market Share 15 5.5 Additional Documents 15 6.0 References 15 1.0 INTRODUCTION Mergers and acquisitions occur because directors see benefits that could come from combining two or more businesses, which could improve the company’s overall financial performance. Mergers and related acquisitions have occurred in the United States in a series of waves over the last century or more, as can be seen on the chart in Appendix 5.3. Over time, mergers have become popular and in recent times, the growth has been steeper outside of the United States. One of many reasons why mergers occur is due to macroeconomic factors that contribute to a merger wave such as economic conditions, credit availability, industry shocks, government policy changes, competitive business environment, innovation, technological developments, or globalization (Thompson). Mergers and acquisitions can generate cost efficiency through economies of scale, can increase the revenue through gain in market...
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...C. Broth (Reduced Bile Salts) | 3 | Eosin methylene blue agar (Levine) – Oxoid | 5 | Eosin methylene blue agar (Levine) - acumedia | 1 | Lactose broth | 7 | Lauryl tryptose broth (Lauryl sulphate broth) | 5 | Lysine iron agar | 1 | Malt extract [acumedia] | 2 | MacConkey Agar No. 3 [Oxoid] | 6 | MacConkey Agar [acumedia] | 1 | BBL™ MacConkey II Agar [BD] | 5 | MacConkey Agar [Oxoid] | 3 | MacConkey Broth | 1 | Mannitol salt agar [Oxoid] | 4 | Mannitol salt agar [acumedia] | 1 | M. R. S. Broth | 2 | M. R. V. P. Medium [Oxoid] | 3 | M. R. V. P. Medium [pronadisa] | 1 | BBL™ Mueller Hinton II Agar [BD] | 1 | Mueller-Hinton Agar [Oxoid] | 1 | Mueller-Hinton Agar [pronadisa] | 2 | Muller-Kauffmann-Tetrathionate Broth Base | 1 | Nutrient Agar | 15 | Nutrient Broth | 10 | Palcam Agar Base [Oxoid] | 5 | Palcam Agar Base [acumedia] | 2 | Pancreatic Digest of Gelatin (Peptone G) – acumedia | 2 | Mycological peptone | 1 | PCA [Merck] | 3 | PDA [Oxoid] | 9 | PDA [acumedia] | 3 |...
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...You Decide: Case 5.1 Merck Acquisition of Medco You Decide: Case 5.1 Merck Acquisition of Medco When Merck & Company announced plans to acquire Medco Containment Services Incorporated in July, 1993, it signified the changes taking place in the pharmaceuticals industry. At the time, Merck was the world’s largest drug manufacturer and Medco was the leader in prescription benefits management (PBM). The responsibility for managing prescription drug provisions are increasingly contracted out to PBMs who, in turn, manage claims, negotiate discounts with drug manufacturers, and push generics. One could conclude that the prescription decision making process has shifted away from the doctor and is now being made by the PBMs. As a result, drug manufacturers are directing their marketing efforts to a few PBMs instead of thousands of doctors. It was anticipated that eventually the PBMs would begin to contract with one drug manufacturer instead of negotiating deals with several manufacturers. Therefore, firms with manufacturing, distribution, and prescription management capabilities will become the new industry leaders because of intense competition and lower profits. Merck’s goal should be to acquire capabilities and other resources to achieve a sustainable and competitive advantage (Weston, Mitchell, & Mulherin, 2004). Executive Committee Input The Merck Executive Committee consists of the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing...
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...FIN-516 – WEEK 2 – MINI – CASE Merck & Co., Inc. by M. Luisa Ribeiro 1. Merck & Co., Inc. is a company in the Pharmaceutical Sector. The headquarters are in Whitehouse Station, NJ but it has global presence providing prescription pharmaceuticals, animal health, and consumer care, which include animal health, consumer care products and pharmaceutical medicines which include vaccines, biologic therapies. Merck’s products are marketed directly and through joint ventures. 2. Merck’s operating risks: Merck’s operating risks include recently expired and expiring patented medications which are and soon will be facing market competition from generics, and fewer that optimal products in the development stage to be brought to market. Additionally, some European countries, in an effort to reduce and curtail costs as they are coping with the effects of austerity measures, are imposing a mandatory switch to generic drugs. Some disappointing results of new products in the development stage are posing a risk to the company that needs to stay in compliance, particularly in the face of law suits for past and current medications under Merck’s patent. With changing environment in the health care field in the US, Merck’s efforts to expand operations and distribution to developing countries, also posed a challenge to the company, as developing regions, such as Africa and developing countries such as India, China, Russia and Brazil, that may not offer a stable political, regulatory...
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...Merck Acquisition of Medco Study and Analysis Abstract Corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become popular across the globe during the last two decades due to globalization, liberalization, technological developments, and competitive business environment (Fisher & Siburg, 2009). The synergistic gains from M&A may result from efficient management, economies of scale, profitable use of assets, exploitation of market power, and the use of complementary resources (Mitchell et al, 2004). Theoretically it is assumed that mergers improve the performance of the acquiring firm due to increased market share and synergy impact. This paper reviews the acquisition of Medco Medco Containment Services, Inc. (Medco) by Merck & Company (Merck) and cites reasons for acquisition of Medco. Merck's acquisition of Medco represents a $6.6 billion bet on where the future of the pharmaceutical industry lies (Nichols, 1994). In today's managed-care environment, Vagelos (CEO of Merck in 1993) argues, the company that best controls the information flow from doctor to patient to pharmacist to plan sponsor has the greatest chance of succeeding. Medco has information on 38 million patients, which allows Merck to learn a lot more about how its drugs are prescribed and used and, ultimately, how effective they are in fighting disease. Owning Medco can also help Merck increase its market share in an industry in which no company has more...
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...| You Decide | Merck’s Acquisition of Medco | | Antonio Cruz | 1/24/2016 | You are the Chairman and CEO of Merck. Make a recommendation to the Board of Directors of Merck & Co. regarding this acquisition based on the recommendations of the three associates and your own analysis. You are the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Company, and you will make the final "yes" or "no" recommendation to the Board of Directors of the company. You are listening to the advice of various department heads regarding this acquisition. Based on your evaluations and additional analysis of the recommendations of your three associates, make your recommendation to the Board of Directors. What will you recommend? Yes? No? Yes with some conditions? What are the reasons for your recommendation? | The Major force driving this acquisition of 6.6 billion dollars between Merck & Company and Medoc Containment Services Incorporated the largest prescription benefits management company and marketer of mail-order medicines in the United States was due to fundamental changes taking place in the pharmaceutical industry such as the growth of managed care in the health care industry which according to the industry experts by the turn of the century 90% of Americans will have drug costs included in some kind of managed health care plan and 60% of all outpatient pharmaceuticals will be purchased by managed care programs (Weston, Mitchell and Mulherin). Other factors driving...
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...would be a valuable asset. The insight it can give Merck and the access to the market to increase share and give insight to Merck’s drug treatments will be invaluable. MARKETING & SALES CONSIDERATIONS Currently Merck has to send out its own reps to doctors where Medco does the same to doctors and companies. This will eliminate that area for Merck and result in a $1 billion annual savings in redundant marketing costs by a reduction of Merck’s sales force by using the marketing strategies of Medco’s database and ideology of marketing to plan managers as opposed to doctors. OPERATERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS Medco’s database that allows Merck to identify prescriptions that can be switched from competitors to their brand will help increase market share while weakening competition. Merck pharmacists will be able to suggest these switches to the patient’s doctor. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Medco has about 33 million customers in the United States and manages 95 million prescriptions a year for government, unions, insurance firms and companies. Revenues for Medco were $2.2 billion. OTHER FACTORS (REGULATORY ISSUES – HUMAN RESOURCES ISSUES – SYNERGY ISSUES) Synergy between Merck and Medco could be achieved by IT integration, non-duplication of efforts and using Medco’s approach of working with plan managers instead of doctors to reduce costs of marketing. Company Backgrounds Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK), dba Merck Sharp & Dohme, MSD outside the...
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...Abstract Merck & Company (Merck) is evaluating the possible acquisition of Medco Containment Services Incorporated (Medco). The Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and the Chief Financial Officer have all stated their thoughts and concerns regarding this matter. It is my job to make the final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Executive Summary Merck is a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer and Medco is a leading pharmacy benefits manager. Both companies have a strong hold on their piece of the market. In 1992, Merck had revenue of $9.7 billion while Medco recorded $2.2 in revenue.4 Benefits of the merger include: * Increased marketing potential through Medco’s accumulated data * Access into the Managed Care market * Decreased costs in sales and marketing efforts Risks include: * Merging of corporate cultures * Loss of R&D dollars due to subsidizing Medco * Regulatory and compliance threats. The stated price for the merger is $6.6 Billion. At the time of the merger, I would have recommended to the Board to proceed with the merger as benefits seem to out-weigh the risks. However, in looking back, due to the FTC findings stating the merger did create an unfair advantage to Merck, I would have to re-evaluate. Merck was unable to issue the intended Medco IPO which had a planned offer price of $20 to $22 per share. In 2003 announced its plan to spin off Medco to existing Merck shareholders...
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...Merck & Medco “The Merger” For 102 years of innovations, our company has thrived in the health-care arena and overcome the challenges and changes in the industry. Our researchers have helped the people around the world by finding new ways to treat and prevent illness and create healthier and brighter future for all people around the world. Today, Merck is the world’s largest drug manufacturer, thanks to the vision of the former management and directors who were able to see in the future and overcome all obstacles and competition and positioned the company as world leader. Ladies and gentlemen of the board, we are experiencing a rapid change in the industry of health-care and a different dynamic induced by the fierce competition not only in the U.S. but also all over the globe. Falling drug profits and increase spending in research and development are challenges that we have to face. As a result, analysts and CEOs in health-care share my view that there will be only few big drug makers left in the global market. Therefore, it is my job to find opportunities and growth to maintain our leadership and role in the industry and maximize our shareholders’ wealth. Merck’s acquisition of Medco is a bold step that will be the initiation of new era that will reshape the health-care industry and many rivals will follow in the future. After discussion with our top executives who casted their views and concerns over the merger. I have gathered information that weighed on my proposal...
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...Applying the Potter Box to Merck’s Actions Regarding the Painkiller Vioxx Rod Carveth, Marywood University Claire Ferraris, Western Oregon University Nick Backus, Western Oregon University Abstract In this paper we demonstrate how to focus an empirical application in reaching an ethical decision by working with the Potter Box, a model created by Ralph Potter as an analytical tool assessing the ethics of corporate decision-making, The facts emerging in news accounts regarding lawsuits against the pharmaceutical company Merck and its painkiller Vioxx are analyzed for ethical consideration. Utilizing the Potter Box model, the case against Merck can be interpreted and studied in light of ethical considerations. The results demonstrate not only how a decision is argued, but what is missing in the overall consideration for the decision. Introduction The mythos of freedom and responsibility in the United States is premised on the ethical actions of members of the society, particularly those in positions of power. And ethics in communication takes a place of preeminence since the words spoken by authorities are often all a public relies upon to pass judgment. How is the citizen or the communication analyst to evaluate the ethics of the utterances of others? And how does the communicator determine the ethical appropriateness of a planned message? This paper is an introduction to an accessible method of ethical decision-making in communication. The Potter Box allows both student and scholar...
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...management | Acquisition recommendations for the merger of Medco and Merck | Professor Jeffery Hardin/ FI 561 | | Carthenia Turk | 3/18/2013 | Recommendations are being prepared to be present to the board of directors regarding Merck’s acquisition of Medco. I have gathered information form several key employees within the organization in order to determine whether the merger will be profitable and allow the company continued growth. This analysis will include supporting calculations regarding the two companies becoming one. | Ladies and gentlemen I have been given the task of providing my recommendations as to our company (Merck), acquiring Medco. An evaluation of both companies will be completed so that I can provide accurate feedback as to the pros and the cons of the proposed merger. There will also be an analysis performed to determine the cost effectiveness and the potential synergy of the combined companies. Included in this recommendation you will find a (DCF) discounted cash flow, this will determine whether or not the post-merger company will have the ability to overcome any opposition that be in question. I will also be discussing the proposed strategy that we intend to take, should we agree to the merger. We will explore what works well for each organization and the best way to combine those efforts to maximize on continued growth for the organization. We here at Merck, being the world’s largest drug manufacturer and leader of research and...
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...Merck & Medco: A Comparative Analysis By: Larry Lloyd Keller Graduate School of Management FIN 561 Mergers & Acquisitions (Online) Professor Gene Smith September 19, 2015 Table of Contents Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...i Executive Summary…………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………1 Overview of Pharmaceutical Industry…………………….…………………………………………………………......2 S.W.O.T Analysis..……………………..................................................................................................3-5 Impact on Marketing and Sales…………………………………………….………………………………………………..5-6 Marketing and Sales Considerations……………………………………………………………………………….........6-7 Operational Considerations………………………………………..…………………………………………….……………7-8 Financial Considerations………………………………………………………………………………………………………...8-9 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9-11 References……………………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………….12 i. Executive Summary Merck & Co. is one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, is seeking to acquire Medco Containment Services, a leading managed prescription drug benefit company, for $6 billion dollars. After the merger, Merck & Co. will seek to strengthen their position in healthcare industry, by not only selling prescription drugs used by millions of consumers, but also having a larger say in how the medicines are used by consumers...
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