Global pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. Inc. promoted Kenneth Frazier to executive vice president and president of its global human health division, effective August 1. As general counsel, Frazier led Merck through litigation related to Vioxx, which was linked to an increased risk of heart problems. Frazier replaces Peter Loescher, who announced his resignation in May and departed the company in early July.

In his new position Frazier will oversee more than 30,000 employees and lead Merck's marketing and sales organizations worldwide, including its global pharmaceutical and vaccine franchises. Frazier, a graduate of Harvard Law School, joined Merck in 1992 and was named general counsel in 1999. In 2006 he was promoted from senior vice president to executive vice president. Prior to working for Merck, he was a partner with Philadelphia firm Drinker Biddle & Reath.

“In Ken, we are fortunate to have an exceptional leader who knows the company, its business and the industry intimately and who has a demonstrated ability to drive the transformation necessary to achieve our long-term objectives,” said Merck Chairman, President and CEO Richard T. Clark in a statement.

Succeeding Frazier as general counsel is Bruce N. Kuhlik, who also was promoted to senior vice president. Kuhlik has been with Merck since 2005 as vice president and associate general counsel, with primary responsibility for the Vioxx litigation defense. Frazier will continue to work with Kuhlik on Vioxx-related issues.

In a statement, Clark expressed confidence in Kuhlik's leadership of Vioxx litigation strategy, citing his “knowledge of the law, the pharmaceutical business and the regulatory regimes under which our company operates.”