For the first quarter of 2011, the company reported a net income of $1.07bn, compared to $330m for the same period in 2010.
Merck’s worldwide sales were $11.6bn for the first quarter of 2011, an increase of 1% compared with the first quarter of 2010.
The company drove solid first-quarter performance in the Animal Health business across all regions, with a 7% sales increase over the same period last year.
Merck president and CEO Kenneth Frazier said their results were largely driven by double-digit growth of key products combined with deliberate cost control measures across all areas of the company as we continue to create a more effective and efficient operating model.
"It is clear that Merck’s business momentum is building, and we continue to demonstrate the ongoing value of the merger. We’re making progress in our late-stage pipeline, and leveraging the benefits of our expanded pharmaceutical and vaccine, animal health and consumer portfolio," Frazier said.