Merck & Co. (MRK) agreed to abandon an advertising claim in the U.K. asserting an allergy tablet provides fast-acting relief, after rival Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) complained to regulators there wasn't sufficient evidence for the claim.
The U.K. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said "point of sale" material for Merck's Clarityn--sold in the U.S. as Claritin--claimed it provided fast-acting relief for hay fever, according to a notice posted Tuesday on the agency's website.
J&J complained about the claim in the summer, and the MHRA investigated. The agency sided with J&J in November, finding there wasn't enough evidence to show that Clarityn could provide symptomatic relief within about 30 minutes. The agency says a fast-acting claim should be reserved for hay-fever treatments that provide relief within 30 minutes for the average consumer.
Merck, of Whitehouse Station, N.J., agreed to remove the use of the "fast acting" claim from its advertising, the MHRA said.
The MHRA also said no product containing the same active ingredient as Clarityn--loratadine--should assert a fast-acting claim.
J&J, of New Brunswick, N.J., markets the allergy medicine Benadryl in the U.K. J&J also markets another allergy medicine, Zyrtec, but not in the U.K., said spokeswoman Bonnie Jacobs. She declined to comment on the MHRA matter.
A Merck spokeswoman couldn't immediately be reached.
Although J&J and Merck compete in some areas, they are also business partners, including a joint venture that markets Pepcid heartburn medicine and other products.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Merck Drops 'Fast-Acting' Claim In UK For Allergy Pill - WSJ.com
via online.wsj.com
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