MERCK FROSST TREATS ASTHMA
By Adnews Staff
Merck Frosst Inc. of Kirkland, Que. is trying to give asthma sufferers some relief. The company has introduced a new prescription drug to treat the condition. Called Singulair, the drug is available in a tablet form and is taken once-a-day. It can be used by children and adults. The children's version is a chewable cherry-flavored tablet taken at bedtime. The adult formulation is a plain tablet swallowed with liquid, with or without food. Singulair is being promoted using ads in medical journals. The ads will be created by Gingko Advertising of Montreal. National Public Relations of Toronto will handle PR. Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the airways that affects up to 15% of Canadian children and up to 7% of adults. Merck Frosst markets a line of cardiovascular products for high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and heart failure, as well as a range of vaccines. In addition, it develops drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, prostate disease and hair loss.