MERCK MARKETS OSTEOPORSIS DRUG
By Adnews Staff
Merck & Co. will begin selling its osteoporosis drug Fosamax in the U.S. in the middle of this month. The new product will be backed by a heavy marketing effort which will be at least as big as previous Merk launches for major drugs that lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Part of the marketing strategy is to educate both women and doctors about osteoporosis. In late October Merk's sales people will begin calling on doctors. In addition, Merck is training the sales force of American Home Products Corp.'s Wyeth-Ayerst division to promote Fosamax to gynecologists. Merck Frosst Canada of Montreal has applied to the Health Protection Branch for permission to sell the drug in Canada. It expects approval sometime in 1996, public affairs director Bill MacDonald told Adnews this week. Merck says that clinical studies show that one tablet taken at least a half-hour before breakfast can partly restore the mineral density of bones in postmenopausal women and sharply reduce the risk of spine, hip and other fractures.