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Merck Outlines COVID-19 Vaccine And Antiviral Plans As Pandemic Dents Q2 Sales

 
• By Mandy Jackson

The expectation of a big second quarter sales decline proved true, but the situation is improving. Meanwhile, Merck & Co. is advancing two vaccines and an antiviral against the novel coronavirus. 

Q2
Merck & Co.'s Q2 revenue was down 8%; pharma revenue decreased 7% • Source: Shutterstock

Merck & Co., Inc. prepared investors a few months ago for a disappointing second quarter, so even though total product sales declined 8% year-over-year to $10.87bn in Q2 the company spent much of its 31 July earnings call discussing its two vaccines and an antiviral drug against the novel coronavirus.

Merck & Co. noted when it reported first quarter earnings at the end of April that patients were reluctant to go to routine doctor appointments and risk exposure to SARS-CoV-2 during the height of the pandemic and as a result the company expected to take a $2.5bn hit in 2020, including $1.7bn in pharmaceutical revenue. Now the company expects COVID-19 to have a $1

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