Executive Change

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C.  20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)   August 20, 2021 ( August 19, 2021 ) Merck & Co., Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New Jersey 1-6571 22-1918501 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 2000 Galloping Hill Road , Kenilworth , NJ   07033 (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code   ( 908 ) 740-4000 Not Applicable (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))   Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b–2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.   Emerging growth company ☐   If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐   Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of Each Exchange on which Registered           Common Stock ($0.50 par value)   MRK   New York Stock Exchange 1.125% Notes due 2021   MRK/21   New York Stock Exchange 0.500% Notes due 2024   MRK24   New York Stock Exchange 1.875% Notes due 2026   MRK/26   New York Stock Exchange 2.500% Notes due 2034   MRK/34   New York Stock Exchange 1.375% Notes due 2036   MRK36A   New York Stock Exchange Item 5.02 – Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers . (b) Incorporated by reference is a press release issued by Merck & Co., Inc. (the “Company”) on August 20, 2021, attached as Exhibit 99.1, announcing the resignation of Leslie A. Brun from the Company’s Board of Directors effective August 19, 2021. Item 9.01 – Financial Statements and Exhibits.   (d) Exhibits: Exhibit Number Description     99.1 Press Release issued August 20, 2021. 2 SIGNATURES   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.     Merck & Co., Inc.     Date: August 20, 2021 By: /s/ Kelly E. W. Grez     Name:   Kelly E. W. Grez     Title:   Deputy Corporate Secretary 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No . Description of Exhibit     99.1 Press Release issued August 20, 2021.