DR. SCHOLL'S® Custom Fit(TM) Orthotic Inserts Now Available in Stores Nationwide

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck Consumer Care, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., announces the nationwide availability of Dr. Scholl's® Custom Fit Orthotic Centers. To help people find customized solutions for their tired, achy feet, the kiosks use revolutionary FootMapping® Technology to measure arch type and the areas you put the most pressure on to recommend the most appropriate Custom Fit™ Orthotic.

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"We've combined state-of-the-art foot measurement technology with consumer-friendly software to make it quick and easy for people to find the Dr. Scholl's® Custom Fit™ Orthotic Inserts that are best for their feet," said Charles Lundy, associate director of Footcare Research and Development at Merck Consumer Care. "For the first time, this smart technology is available nationally and could save you hundreds of dollars compared to other custom orthotic inserts sold at retail stores."

The FootMapping® Technology found in Dr. Scholl's® Custom Fit Orthotic Centers was developed by Dr. Scholl's® scientists and evaluated in five clinical studies. It uses more than 2,000 pressure sensors to measure areas of the foot where the most pressure is applied, arch type and foot length. Based on these criteria, the technology recommends the Dr. Scholl's® Custom Fit™ Orthotic that's best for your feet, which provides all-day relief of tired, achy feet and eliminates foot discomfort immediately.

"Fifty percent of adults suffer from tired, achy feet, especially if they have jobs that keep them on their feet all day," said Dr. Leslie Campbell, podiatrist at the Plano Physician's Group in Plano, Texas and a consultant to the makers of Dr. Scholl's®. "A customized solution can make a real difference in foot comfort, and these revolutionary Dr. Scholl's® Custom Fit™ Orthotic Inserts are a great, affordable way for people to relieve their tired, achy feet."

Consumers can visit www.drscholls.com to find a Dr. Scholl's® Custom Fit Orthotic Center in their area or for more information.

About Dr. Scholl's®

Dr. Scholl's® is America's number one brand of footcare products. For more than a century, the Dr. Scholl's® line has provided footcare and comfort to millions. Today, the Dr. Scholl's® brand offers over 120 footcare products to help keep feet healthy, comfortable and beautiful. The Dr. Scholl's® brand leads the way by utilizing the latest podiatric medicine and research to revolutionize the way Americans think of, and care for, their feet.

About Merck Consumer Care

Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Consumer Care, or MSD Consumer Care outside the United States and Canada, is the global consumer products division of Merck & Co, Inc. Each day, millions count on one or more of our brands that help prevent or treat various common conditions. These include some of the world's most-trusted brands such as CLARITIN for allergies, COPPERTONE for sun care, DR. SCHOLL'S for foot care and many more. Merck Consumer Care is committed to continuing its tradition of innovation by developing and delivering new and accessible over-the-counter health solutions to people around the world. Merck. Be well. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Merck's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on the effectiveness of Merck's patents and other protections for innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health policies in the U.S. and internationally and the exposure to litigation and/or regulatory actions.

Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Merck's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov).

SOURCE Merck