Vioxx Charges Hit Merck

"We have stated previously that we intend to defend these lawsuits vigorously," said Kenneth C. Frazier, the company's senior vice president and general counsel, in a prepared statement. "This reserve is consistent with our commitment to defend the company."

Beyond Vioxx

"We are moving beyond the Vioxx withdrawal," said Raymond V. Gilmartin, the chairman and CEO, in a prepared statement.

The fourth quarter "was a solid quarter for Merck," said Bell, the investor relations chief, pointing to strong growth among many signature products.

For example, sales of the asthma drug Singulair rose 44% in the quarter to reach $731 million. For the year, Singulair revenue gained 30% to $2.6 billion. Sales of the osteoporosis drug Fosamax grew by 28% to $831 million for the quarter and by 18% to $3.2 billion for the year.

The blood pressure drugs Cozaar and Hyzaar produced $764 million in sales for the quarter, up 11%, and $2.8 billion for the year, up 14%. And the company's best-selling drug, Zocor, managed an 8% gain in the quarter to $1.3 billion in sales and a 4% advance for the year to $5.2 billion. This cholesterol-fighting drug has been losing patent protection in some countries, and its U.S. patent will expire in mid-2006.

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