1
                                                                   Exhibit 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 of Merck & Co., Inc., of our report dated May 24, 1996
appearing on page 2 of the Report of the Astra Merck Inc. Employee Savings and
Security Plan on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

/s/  Price Waterhouse LLP

Price Waterhouse LLP


Philadelphia, PA
May 24, 1996