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Restructuring / Turnaround Strategies Case Study
Case Title:
Restructuring at Merck
Publication Year : 2006
Authors: Seema Agrawal, Dr. A.V Vedpuriswar
Industry: Pharmaceutical Industry
Region: North America
Case Code: RTS0100A
Teaching Note: Not Available
Structured Assignment: Not Available
Abstract:
In 2005, Merck was the world’s sixth-largest global pharmaceutical company. In November 2005, Merck announced a global cost-cutting campaign. Several factors prompted this move, including uncertainty in its discovery pipeline and the loss of sales revenue from the pain-reliever Vioxx, which was recalled in September 2004. Tens of billions of dollars in potential liability arose from the recall of Vioxx. Moreover, the company’s top-selling product, Zocor, would lose patent rights in mid-2006. When the flow of new medicines from Merck’s research and development pipeline dried up, analysts criticised the company for concentrating too much effort on a limited range of cures.
The case discusses the restructuring plan of a pharmaceutical company which is facing problems like unimpressive growth in R&D, blockbuster product recall, loss on patent rights on its top selling drugs.
Pedagogical Objectives:
- To discuss the restructuring plan of a pharmaceutical company which is facing problems like unimpressive growth in R&D, blockbuster product recall, loss on patent rights on its top selling drugs
- To understand the structure of Pharmaceutical industry.
Keywords : Merck; Pharmaceutical Industry; North America; Restructuring; cost-cutting; Vioxx; Restructuring / Turnaround Strategies Case Study; Zocor; Gardasil; Rotateq; Zostavax; Patent; Rofecoxib; FDA; Research and Development; Downsizing; Drug Development; Pre-clinical test; Product Recall; Prescribed Drug; Generic Drug
