July 27, 2010 10:00 ET

Dr. Scholl's® Creates Online Community to Connect Those Who Experience Lower Body Joint Pain

WHITEHOUSE STATION, NJ--(Marketwire - July 27, 2010) -  Merck Consumer Care announces the launch of a new effort to connect people who suffer from back, knee or arthritis pain. The Dr. Scholl's^® Pain Relief Community, available at www.facebook.com/drscholls, offers a forum for lower body pain sufferers to share their experiences. 

"Lower body pain will affect 80 percent of Americans at some point in their lives and can have a tremendous impact on people's day-to-day lives, including work, home and social activities," said Charles Lundy, associate director of Footcare Research and Development at Merck Consumer Care. "Dr. Scholl's^® created this community to connect those who experience lower body joint pain and provide them with simple, yet effective, possible approaches to pain management."

Studies show that most pain sufferers don't know that an orthotic can help relieve certain types of lower body joint pain. Dr. Scholl's^® Pain Relief Orthotics are clinically proven to provide immediate and all-day pain relief of certain types of pain in the foot and lower body, allowing sufferers to enjoy a more active lifestyle. 

The new Facebook community offers exclusive coupons for savings and encourages members to take the "Pain Relief Challenge" by wearing Dr. Scholl's^® Pain Relief Orthotics for one week to experience noticeable pain relief. The challenge couldn't be easier, since all products come with a full, money-back guarantee if the consumer is not completely satisfied. Dr. Leslie Campbell, one of the country's leading experts in podiatric biomechanics and consultant to the maker's of Dr. Scholl's, will offer options for minimizing back, knee, and osteoarthritis pain. 

"Lower body pain can be debilitating, but it's important for sufferers to know that it also can be managed with the proper precautions and treatment," said Dr. Campbell. "As a first line of defense, I recommend that my patients start out with an over-the-counter product such as Dr. Scholl's^® Pain Relief Orthotics. In addition, at-home remedies such as stretching and eating certain foods that reduce inflammation can make a real difference in pain symptoms." 

Available in men's and women's sizes, Dr. Scholl's^® Pain Relief Orthotic products can be found nationwide at most food, drug and mass retailers. For more information, visit www.drscholls.com or www.facebook.com/drscholls.

About DR. SCHOLL'S^®
DR. SCHOLL'S^® is America's number one brand of footcare products. For over a century, the DR. SCHOLL'S^® line has provided footcare and comfort to millions. Today, the DR. SCHOLL'S® brand offers over 120 footcare products to help keep feet healthy, comfortable and beautiful. The DR. SCHOLL'S^® brand leads the way by utilizing the latest podiatric medicine and research to revolutionize the way Americans think of, and care for, their feet.

About Merck Consumer Care
Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck Consumer Care, or MSD Consumer Care outside the United States and Canada, is the global consumer products division of Merck & Co, Inc. Each day, millions count on one or more of our brands that help prevent or treat various common conditions. These include some of the world's most-trusted brands such as CLARITIN for allergies, COPPERTONE for sun care, DR. SCHOLL'S for foot care and many more. Merck Consumer Care is committed to continuing its tradition of innovation by developing and delivering new and accessible over-the-counter health solutions to people around the world.

Merck. Be well. For more information, visit www.merck.com.