I am filing a shareholder proposal with Merck.

In accordance with SEC Staff Legal Bulletin No. 14 I need to:

"submit a written statement from the record holder of the securities verifying that the shareholder has owned the securities continuously for one year as of the time the shareholder submits the proposal."

Accordingly, could you please assist me in obtaining a written statement from the record holder of my securities attesting to the fact that:

"Gordon Irlam has continuously owned 500 shares of Merck common stock for one year or more as of November 14, 2002."

Please note, a written statement by Vanguard Brokerage Services, unless it is the record holder of my securities, is not sufficient to meet the SEC requirements. Therefore, I require your assistance in obtaining this statement from the record holder of my securities, which I believe to be the Pershing Division of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.

Thank you for your prompt assistance in this matter.