Merck & Co, Inc. has received setback during the fourth quarter ended December 2015 on account of impact of acquisition and divestiture related costs, restructuring costs and certain other items. Its net profit declined sharply by 86.6 per cent to $981 million from $7,327 million in the corresponding period of last year. Its net sale also declined by 2.5 per cent to $10,215 million from $10,482 million. EPS worked out to $0.35 as against $2.54 in the last period.

Its pharmaceuticals sales declined by 4 per cent to $9,027 million during the quarter from $9,370 million in the same period of last year due to lower sales of Januvia/Janumet which declined by 12 per cent to $1,447 million and sales of Zetia/Vytorin by 3 per cent to $999 million. Its sales of major brands like Remicade, Isentress, Singulair, Zostavax, Nasonex also declined. Its sales of animal health also declined by 6 per cent to $830 million.  

Kenneth C Frazier, chairman and CEO, said, The past year was one of considerable progress and execution for Merck. I'am excited by the near-term opportunities, as we continue launching important new products like Zepatier and Keytruda while augmenting and advancing our pipeline.”

For the year ended December 2015, Merck's total sales declined by 6 per cent to $39,498 million from $42,237 million in the previous year. Its pharmaceutical sales declined by 3 per cent to $34,782 million from $36,042 million. The sales of Januvia/Janumet remained stagnant at $6,014 million and that of Zetia/Vytorin declined by 9 per cent to $3,777 million from $4,166 million in the previous year. The sales of Gardasil improved by 10 per cent to $1,908 million from $1,738 million. The sales of Remicade declined by 24 per cent to $1,794 million and that of Isentress moved down by 10 per cent to $1,511 million. Animal Health sales declined by 4 per cent to $3,324 million from $3,454 million.

Its net profit declined by 62.6 per cent to $4,459 million from $11,934 million in the previous year due to significant higher other income of $11,613 million in the previous year as compared to expenditure of $1,527 million in the year ended December 2015. It shown other income in the previous year includes an $11.2 billion gain on the divestiture of its consumer care business. EPS worked out to $1.56 as compared to $4.07 in the last year.