Schering, Plough-Merck Pharmaceuticals Get FDA Nod for Claritin-Singulair Combo Drug
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Schering-Plough/Merck Pharmaceuticals said Tuesday the Food and Drug Administration accepted its new drug application for a combination of allergy drugs Claritin and Singulair.
Schering-Plough/Merck Pharmaceuticals, a joint venture between Schering-Plough Corp. and Merck & Co. (MRK), is seeking marketing approval of loratadine/montelukast, which are the ingredients found in Claritin and Singulair, for treatment of nasal allergy symptoms.
The combined medicine comes in a single tablet, and contains active ingredients that are indicated for the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose.
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If approved, the drug would be marketed as a prescription treatment by Schering-Plough/Merck Pharmaceuticals.
Schering-Plough received FDA approval in 2002 for the over-the-counter sale of the original prescription strength of Claritin tablets. Merck's Singulair is a prescription medicine approved to help control asthma and help allergy symptoms.
In late afternoon trading, shares of Schering-Plough declined 85 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $29.59. In the past year the stock has traded between $19.65 and $33.81.
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Shares of Merck fell 95 cents to $49.18; in the last 12 months its price has ranged from $39.90 to $55.14.