Merck “confident” about Singulair efficacy

Merck has issued a statement regarding its asthma and allergic rhinitis therapy Singulair (montelukast sodium).

The release follows comments from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding updated information on leukotriene inhibitors, including Singulair.

Since the drug was first made available in 1998, Merck says it has updated the post-marketing elements of the prescription information to illustrate a range of adverse events that have been reported with post-marketing use of the therapy.

Merck explained that it will continue to work with the FDA to update prescribing information relating to Singulair to ensure its continued use.

The firm commented: “Merck is confident in the efficacy and safety of Singulair, a medicine that has been prescribed to tens of millions of patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis since its approval more than 11 years ago.”

Last month, Merck announced the results of a study which showed that Janumet (sitagliptin/metformin) offered help to drug-naive patients with type 2 diabetes.