How to buy Merck (MRK) stock from India

Yes, an Indian resident can buy Merck — legally, in US dollars, under the RBI's Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS). MRK trades on NYSE. It pays a quarterly dividend (~2.5% yield). Merck is the parent company of Keytruda (pembrolizumab), the world's best-selling drug — a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor approved in 40+ cancer indications. The dominant near-term question for MRK investors is the Keytruda LOE (loss of exclusivity) cliff in 2028 and Merck's ability to defend revenue through the Qlex subcutaneous formulation and its Daiichi Sankyo ADC partnership.

The 30-second version

• Legal and simple. Buy MRK via Vested, INDmoney, or Interactive Brokers India.
• Quarterly dividend (~2.5%). File Form W-8BEN for 15% DTAA withholding; claim FTC via Form 44.
• India tax on gains: hold more than 24 months → 12.5% LTCG (Section 112); shorter hold → slab rate.
• Estate-tax trap: above $60,000 US-situs → up to 40% US estate tax; no treaty relief.
• The position: MRK is a discounted large-cap pharma with a clear near-term risk (2028 Keytruda IV LOE) that the market has partly priced in. The Qlex SC migration, Winrevair (pulmonary hypertension), and Daiichi Sankyo ADC pipeline are the upside paths. MRK trades at a discount to JNJ and LLY precisely because the LOE risk is visible.

Quick facts

Ticker / exchange	MRK / NYSE
Dividend	~$0.81/quarter (~2.5% annual yield)
India tax on gains	12.5% LTCG after 24 months; else slab (Section 112)
Dividend tax	15% US WHT (DTAA) + Indian slab; FTC via Form 44
Estate-tax risk	US-situs above $60k → up to 40%
Annual compliance	Schedule FA every year you hold

What Merck actually is

Keytruda (~45% of revenue): Pembrolizumab is a PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor approved in melanoma, NSCLC, bladder, kidney, cervical, and 40+ other cancer indications. It is the world's best-selling drug by revenue. The IV formulation faces US LOE in 2028.

Qlex (subcutaneous Keytruda): Approved in the US in 2025, Qlex is a co-formulation of pembrolizumab with Halozyme's ENHANZE technology allowing subcutaneous administration (~30-minute injection vs 30-minute IV infusion). Qlex has independent patent protection through the early 2030s. Merck is migrating patients from IV to SC ahead of 2028 to retain revenue and extend the Keytruda franchise.

Daiichi Sankyo ADC partnership: Merck paid $22B+ to co-develop three ADC (antibody-drug conjugate) candidates from Daiichi Sankyo — ifinatamab deruxtecan (I-DXd), patritumab deruxtecan, and raludotatug deruxtecan. These are the post-2028 pipeline anchors.

Winrevair (sotatercept): Approved 2024 for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) — a rare disease with high unmet need and strong pricing. Winrevair is a fast-growing standalone franchise.

Gardasil (HPV vaccine): The world's leading HPV vaccine. China volume has slowed due to inventory drawdowns and pricing pressure; US and international markets remain steady.

Animal Health: Merck Animal Health is a top-3 global animal health business — companion animal and livestock. Provides steady cash flow independent of pharma pipeline.

Tax and compliance

Capital gains: 12.5% LTCG after 24 months; slab for shorter holds. Dividend: 15% US WHT (W-8BEN) + Indian slab; FTC via Form 44. Schedule FA mandatory.

Full rules: how US stocks are taxed in India. Estate-tax: guide.

MRK vs JNJ vs ABBV

If you want…	Best route
Keytruda franchise + SC migration optionality	MRK
Post-Kenvue pure pharma/medtech with 62-year dividend	JNJ
Humira replacement pipeline (Skyrizi, Rinvoq)	ABBV
Full pharma picture	Pharma & GLP-1 stocks guide