Joint Ventures and Other Equity Method Affiliates (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Joint Ventures and Other Equity Method Affiliates [Abstract]

Equity income from affiliates

     Equity income from affiliates reflects the performance of the Company’s joint ventures and other equity method affiliates and was comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
($ in millions)	2011		2010		2011		2010
AstraZeneca LP	$	141	$	192	$	318	$	357
Other (1)		20		44		36		60
	$	161	$	236	$	354	$	417

⁽¹⁾ Primarily reflects results from Sanofi Pasteur MSD, as well as Johnson & Johnson°Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company (which was divested in September 2011).

Summarized financial information for AZLP

     Summarized financial information for AZLP is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
($ in millions)	2011		2010		2011		2010
Sales	$	1,124	$	1,200	$	3,460	$	3,790
Materials and production costs		464		605		1,524		1,864
Other expense, net		357		224		1,004		679
Income before taxes (1)	$	303	$	371	$	932	$	1,247

⁽¹⁾ Merck’s partnership returns from AZLP are generally contractually determined and are not based on a percentage of income from AZLP, other than with respect to the 1% limited partnership interest discussed above.