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Merck Acquisition of Medco

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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, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The COO is cautious about the acquisition with Medco. His concern is that the Merck culture and operations may not mix well with Medco. Merck has a long history of strong research and development in the pharmaceutical industry and Medco’s operations are primarily marketing. These are genuine concerns that will

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