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Such competition keeps Vagelos from becoming complacent. "I tend to discount immediately what we have accomplished," he says. "Once you know you have a drug or it is coming along, you really want to get on with the next thing. After all, what's more exciting than trying to do something that's never been done before?" The question is one that Vagelos never stops asking.
CHART: TEXT NOT AVAILABLE
CREDIT: TIME Chart by Joe Lertola
CAPTION: PRESCRIPTION FOR PROFITS
DESCRIPTION: Merck net income, 1983-1987; Color illustration: bottle of pills.