Merck: "Our Values and Standards"

Merck is a very prominent pharmaceutical company that has a very specific code of conduct for all of the employees to follow.  This code of conduct is available for all of its employees, consultants, as well as the public.  Here are some examples that will portray how specific the code of conduct is:

     1. Give physician a gift?
No- They do not provide any gifts or incentives to physicians, due to the worry of physicians not providing care based on their patients health needs.  They may, however, inform physicians about their new products by providing occasional educational and practice-related items, such as medical books and so on.  They may also use promotional items such as notepads and calendars. 

     2. Use your cellular phone to discuss new research methods with another Merck employee?
Yes, however with strict restrictions- Common sense and judgment is needed when considering this problem.  Privacy needs to be preserved at all times, which would make it acceptable.  Without privacy, this would be unacceptable.  If company phones are involved, employees need to make sure they are being used appropriately as well.  For example, no lengthy, personal calls. 

     3. Accept a supplier's invitation to attend the Super Bowl?
     No- This is considered as an excessive gift offer.  It is improper due to its possibility to influence a business decision.  Smaller gifts may be accepted however, such as a regular season game.  This is only if the supplier will be attending with you and there is the opportunity to talk about business. 

     4. Use social media, such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter for giving your medical opinion without disclosing your affiliation with Merck?
     Yes, however with regulations- Participating in social media and networks should not be used on company computer and software.  But if a person does participate in social media on company computers, they will be held accountable for any type of damage or lost files on the computers.  Also, employees participating in social media need to make clear that they are using their own personal opinion, not the company's.  Because of this, people may provide the information that they are affiliated with Merck, but their opinion may not be the position of the company. 

     5. How do you compete with others and obtain information about competitors?
     Competing fairly is very important! Sharing prices and bids with competitors is not prohibited.  This includes pricing policies, discounts, promotions, warranties and conditions of sale.  Exchange of information with a competitor is meant to be innocent and not to create an appearance of price-fixing or bid-rigging.  A free market is good, and they compete aggressively for every consumer.  Because of this, no agreements with competitors will be made concerning customers, distributors, or territories.  Information about competitors may be obtained by available resources.  These sources may include news and other public resources, examining competitors' products, from competitors' customers, or from competitors' displays at conferences and trade shows. 

Our Values and Standards: the Basis to our Success