Merck KGaA spokesman Gangolf Schrimpf this week confirmed that a contractor has expanded capacity for making Merck drugs for the Iran market with the opening of a new facility. Merck was careful to point out that the facility was built without any investment from the German drugmaker and in “compliance with applicable local and international law and regulations.”
“Merck does not have a legal presence, nor does Merck own any assets or facilities in Iran,” Schrimpf said in an email. (FiercePharma, "New plant to make Merck KGaA drugs opens in Iran," 4/25/2019).
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“Multiple companies currently exploring new business ventures in Iran are also cashing in on highly lucrative contracts with the U.S. Defense Department, raising questions about whether their dealings with Iran could run afoul of U.S. law. At least 13 major international companies have said in recent weeks that they aim to reenter the Iranian marketplace over the next several months. The companies have received Pentagon contracts totaling well over $107 billion, according to a Washington Free Beacon analysis that tracked DoD contracts awarded since fiscal year 2009. Many of the companies, which include carmaker Renault and oil giants such as BP, have already sent high-level trade delegations to Tehran to meet with Iranian officials about striking new business deals…These companies include Boeing and General Electric—which have DoD contracts worth $87 and $12 billion respectively—as well as the Italian oil company Eni, Merck, Safran, Vitol, Bosch Rexroth, Sanofi Pastuer, and AVL.” (Washington Free Beacon, “Pentagon Contractors Exploring Business with Iran,” 2/25/14)
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"German pharmaceutical group Merck is seeking a partnership with an Iranian manufacturer to produce medicines in the country in a sign that western companies are putting their faith in President Hassan Rouhani’s reformist drive and an easing of international sanctions…Darmstadt-based Merck said it was in discussions with several specialist Iranian producers to assess production of two drugs, adding to its existing sales of medicines into the country…Medicines are among the humanitarian exemptions to the existing sanctions regime, but foreign companies’ sales and investment have been limited by difficulties in payment, insurance and shipping…Merck said it was seeking a local producer to make its products Glucophage for diabetes and Concor for high blood pressure to the necessary quality standards." (Financial Times, "Merck tests ground for Iran partnership to produce medicines," 12/26/13)
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"Germany’s multi-billion euro bilateral trade relationship with Iran continues unabated, even as evidence mounts that the Islamic Republic is determined to build a nuclear weapons capability. The Jerusalem Post has obtained an uncensored list from late 2011, showing hundreds of German and Iranian enterprises in a flourishing trade relationship . . . The list showed that Merck KGaA, the giant Hesse-based chemical and pharmaceutical company, has long been active in Iran. Merck spokesman Steffen Mueller remained largely tight-lipped about its work with Iran, writing in an email that the company adheres to all existing trade conditions." (Jerusalem Post, "German firms still ship dual-use goods to Iran Jerusalem," 7/9/12)
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"In Iran, Merck has a representative office engaged in the marketing of engaged in the marketing of laboratory and specialty chemicals. Until the two divisions Merck Serono and Consumer Health Care as well as the business sector Chemicals have specific information on this site the offices are your point of contact for Merck products."
Listed are the Merck's chemicals distributors in Iran. (Company Website)
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Over the last three presidential administrations, the United States government has granted Merck 10 special licenses to do business in Iran. (New York Times, "Companies with Permission to Bypass Sanctions," 12/24/10)