New DR. SCHOLL'S® FOR HER Fast Flats™ Offer a Practical Solution For a Long Day or Night in Heels

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck Consumer Care today announced the launch of Dr. Scholl's® For Her Fast Flats™, a stylish and practical solution for women who need a break from their uncomfortable shoes.

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Fast Flats™ are compact and foldable shoes that fit discreetly in a purse and come with a wristlet for easy storage and portability. This spare pair is perfect for nights out, weddings, traveling through airports and other times when a long trek in heels won't cut it. Women can even wear Fast Flats™ during their commute, and then slip in to their fashionable shoes just in time to hit the office.

Most women know what it's like to dread taking another step in heels when their feet have had enough. In fact, a recent survey conducted by DR. SCHOLL'S® FOR HER found that 70 percent of women admit to taking their shoes off after a night out because they were so uncomfortable. And 80 percent of women surveyed said that when their feet hurt, it affects their mood.(1)

"While women love their stylish shoes, many feel they have to sacrifice comfort to wear them for an entire day or night," said Jay Morgan, vice president of Research and Development for DR. SCHOLL'S®. "We know that's not the case, and we wanted to give women a great solution for their feet. Fast Flats™ are fashionable and affordable, enabling women to be prepared for the many scenarios they face throughout the day without having to worry about shoe discomfort."

Fast Flats™ is the only brand of portable flats available at most drug and mass retailers nationwide. They come in women's sizes 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10 at a suggested retail price of $9.99.

More information about the full line of DR. SCHOLL'S® FOR HER products is available online at http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/forher.jsp and www.facebook.com/drschollsforher.

About DR. SCHOLL'S®

DR. SCHOLL'S® is America's #1 brand of footcare products, providing comfort to millions for over a century. Today, DR. SCHOLL'S® FOR HER is the first and only full line of footcare products designed specifically for women.  From pedicure products to insoles for your favorite pair of heels, DR. SCHOLL'S® FOR HER enables women to look and feel fabulous.

About Merck Consumer HealthCare

Today's Merck is working to help the world be well. Merck Consumer Care is a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. Each day, millions count on one or more of our industry-leading brands that help prevent or treat various common conditions. These include household names such as CLARITIN® for allergies, COPPERTONE® for sun care, DR. SCHOLL'S® for foot care, and many more. 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).

(1) ALR Reference: From 2009 DR. SCHOLL'S For Her Attitude & Usage Survey

SOURCE Merck