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To: bobby is sleepless in seattle who wrote (98954)	5/23/2000 10:11:00 AM
From: puborectalis	Respond to of 120523

O.T. Doctors boycott Merck in antitrust fight - NY Times NEW YORK, May 23 (Reuters) - Doctors across the United States have been boycotting drugs made by Merck & Co Inc. (NYSE:MRK - news) in a bitter fight over the collective bargaining rights of physicians, pharmacists, and other health care professionals, the New York Times reported Tuesday. The boycott, by hundreds of doctors, was called several weeks ago by leaders of the Federation of Physicians and Dentists, a labour union, which says it is punishing Merck for its position on legislation pending in U.S. Congress. The doctors are demanding that Merck drop its opposition to a bill that, by granting an antitrust waiver, would make it much easier for physicians, pharmacists and other professionals in health care to band together to negotiate collectively with health insurance plans and health maintenance organisations over fees and contract terms. The New York Times reported that some Merck employees said the boycott generated a noticeable effect on sales, but a company spokesman declined to discuss sales figures. Merck has a subsidiary, Merck-Medco, that manages drug benefits for about 52 million people. Neither the U.S. House or Senate has voted on the bill, which is opposed by several major health insurers and the U.S. Justice Department and supported by the American Medical Association.