Merck Manuals

Merck Manuals: comprehensive medical reference since 1899

The Merck Manuals are one of the world's most widely used sources of medical information. First published in 1899 as a small reference book for physicians and pharmacists, they grew in size and scope to become a comprehensive resource covering thousands of topics in all fields of medicine. They are offered as a free public service to both health care professionals and the general public.

Three versions based on the user profile

The site organizes its content into three distinct editions, each tailored to a type of audience.

• Merck Manual Professional Version: aimed at medical professionals and students, with advanced-level content and features. It includes thousands of topics, "how-to" videos, numerous photos, clinical calculators, quizzes, 3D models, as well as case studies, news and editorials.
• Merck Manual Consumer Version: designed for the general public, with clear and easy-to-understand information. It offers thousands of topics, hundreds of animations, numerous photos and illustrations, self-assessment tools, quizzes, 3D models and descriptions of common medical tests.
• Merck Manual Veterinary Manual: intended for veterinary professionals and students, described as the world's most widely used veterinary reference. It comprises thousands of topics, dozens of species, numerous videos and photos, clinical calculators, quizzes, reference guides and case studies, news and editorials.

Name by country

The work is known as the Merck Manuals in the United States and Canada, and as the MSD Manuals outside those two countries. This dual naming reflects the way the publishing company, Merck — known as MSD outside the United States and Canada — operates in different markets.

Free and multilingual access

The Manuals are published in digital format and distributed free of charge in several languages, with the stated goal of bringing up-to-date medical information to professionals and patients on every continent. The organization maintains that health information is a universal right and that everyone should be able to access accurate and understandable medical information.

The publisher behind the Manuals

Merck & Co., Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey, United States, which presents itself as a research-intensive company. With more than 130 years of history, it develops medicines and vaccines and states that it is at the forefront of research into health solutions for the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals.