The Merck Boycott

For over 30 years Merck has been using aborted fetal cell lines in the production of vaccines, despite the fact that there are ethical alternatives that could be used.  Further, when pressed to cease this immoral, unnecessary practice, Merck assured the American public that “No further fetal tissue would be needed now or in the future to produce vaccines.”  They have broken that promise by contracting with Dutch Biopharmaceutical company, Crucell NV, for use of their new aborted fetal cell line, PER C6 - taken from the retinal tissue of an 18-week gestation baby, which will be used in their new HIV vaccine.  Not only do they refuse to listen to the voice of over half a million Americans who have written to protest, they continue to exploit our unborn and profit from the destruction of innocent human life. 
Pro-life America has had enough!  If you agree, please join our fight. 

Following is a list of Merck's major drug products - and their competitor's.

We strongly recommend you check with your doctor to be sure the alternative products are appropriate for your personal medical condition.  If so, use them - and let your doctor know why! And let Merck know why too! Write to: 
Richard Clark, Residing Chairman - Merck & Co.
770 Sumneytown Pike   P.O. Box 4
Westpoint, PA  19486

NOTE: We realize there are companies listed below that may or may not be any better than Merck when it comes to unethical practices.  We do hope though that if you have to choose one evil against another, you won't choose Merck - until they agree to live up to the high standard of ethics they profess to have. 

 

 

 

 

MERCK PRODUCT

COMPETITOR

PRODUCT NAME

CONDITION

AGGRASTAT®
(tirofiban HCI)

Schering-Plough

Integrelin

Used to decrease chances of clots after certain cardiac events.

CANCIDAS®
(caspofungin acetate)

None

None

Aspergillus fungal infection

COMVAX® [Haemophilus b Conjugate and Hepatitis B (Recombinant) Vaccine]

Wyeth, Aventis

Glaxo SmithKline

Separate Doses:
Hib: HbOC, ActHib Hepatitis-B: Engerix

Haemophilus B

Hepatitis B

COSOPT®
(ophthalmic solution)

Allergan  

Alcon

Betagan, Aphagan Timolol
   
Betimol

Glaucoma

COZAAR®
(losartan potassium)

 

Novartis

 Unimed

 Sanofi-Synthelabo

Boehringer Ingelheim

Sankyo

 Diovan

Tevetan

 Avapro

Micardis

Benicar

 Blood Pressure
Prevention of nepropathy in certain diabetics
Prevention of stroke

CRIXIVAN®
(indinavir sulfate)

Agouron

Abbott

Roche

Viracept

Norvir

Fortovase (Saquinavir)

AIDS

FOSAMAX®
(alendronate sodium tablets)

Proctor & Gamble
Roche/GSK

Actonel
Boniva

Osteoporosis

HYZAAR®
(losartan potassium and hydrochlorothiazide)

Novartis  
Bristol Myer Squibb
Sankyo
Boehringer Ingelheim Unimed

Diovan HCT  
Avalide
Benicar HCT
 Miacardia HCT
Teveten HCT

High Blood Pressure

MAXALT®
(rizatriptan benzoate) and Maxalt MLT®

AstraZaneca

Elan 
Pfizer

Zomig

Frova
Relpax

Migraine Headaches

PedvaxHIB® Haemophilus B Conjugate Vaccine (PRP-OMP)

Aventis Pasteur

ActHIB

H-Type Flu

PEPCID® COMPLETE

Apotex  
Eli Lilly

Others

Ranitidine   
Axid 
Generics: Famotidine, Ranitidine, Nizatidine,
Cimetidine

Ulcers, GERD, erosive esophagitis, heartburn

PNEUMOVAX® 23, Pulmovax  
(Pneumococcal Vaccine)  

Wyeth

Prevnar
Pnu-Immune 23

Pneumonia

PROPECIA® (finasteride)

None

None

 

PROSCAR®

Boehringer Ingelheim  

Glaxo SmithKline

Abbott

Pfizer

Pfizer

Flomax  

Avodart

Hytrin

Cardura

Minipress

Symptoms of BPH

RECOMBIVAX HB® [Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant)]

   
Glaxo SmithKline

   
Engerix


Hepatitis-B

SINGULAIR®
(montelukast sodium)

 AstraZeneca

Abbott

 Accolate

Zyflo

Allergies, Asthma

VIOXX ®

Pfizer 
Pharmacia
Boehringer

Celebrex
Bextra
Mobic

Certain types of arthritis, Anti-inflammatory

Zocor®

Pfizer
 Bristol Meyers-Squibb AstraZeneca  
Novartis
Generic
Kos Pharma  

Lipitor
 Pravachol  
Crestor  
Lescol XL
Iovastatin
Altoprev

Used to lower cholesterol and lipids