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 30, 1997
appearing on page 2 of the Report of the Astra Merck Inc. Employee Savings and
Security Plan on Form 11-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.



/s/  Price Waterhouse LLP

Price Waterhouse LLP



Philadelphia, PA
June 24, 1997