We've done great things in the past.
Today, we're doing great things for the future.

Merck and Schering-Plough merged in 2009 to create a new company, known as MSD in Australia, Asia and Europe and Merck in the USA and Canada. Today, we are one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. We also are a global leader in consumer products and animal care.

Both MSD and Schering-Plough have a long and rich history of working to improve people's health and well-being. Through the years, our researchers have helped to find new ways to treat and prevent illness - from the discovery of vitamin B1, to the first measles vaccine, to cold remedies and antacids, to the first statins to treat high cholesterol. Our scientists have also helped develop many products to improve animal health, including vaccines and antibiotics.

While we are proud of our past, we are enthusiastic about the future of our combined company and we are excited to help create a healthier, brighter future for people around the world.

Beginnings in Australia

In 1952, Sharp & Dohme became a registered Australian company with two employees at a small site in Rockdale. The company began operations as a distributor but with the international merger of Merck & Co. and Sharp & Dohme, a new company was subsequently registered in Australia in 1953: Merck Sharp & Dohme (Australia) Pty Limited.

We will celebrate 60 years of operation in Australia in 2012.

The Name "Merck"

Merck & Co., Inc. (based in New Jersey, USA) and Merck KGaA (the former E. Merck and headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany) are both active companies and therefore some confusion over the name "Merck" still exists. The companies have agreed that Merck & Co., Inc. will use the name Merck in the US and Canada and in the rest of the world, it is known as MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme). Merck KGaA uses the name EMD in the United States and uses the name Merck in the rest of the world.