FDA Investigating Clarinex Approval

The Food and Drug Administration is probing approval of Schering-Plough Corp.’s allergy drug Clarinex because an outside consultant may have had a conflict of interest, said FDAWebview, an Internet publication on the drug industry.

The private firm Lachman Consultant Services inspected the plant that makes Clarinex, the report said. The same firm was an auditor for the Kenilworth, N.J.-based drug maker, according to the report.

Schering-Plough shares fell 70 cents to $29.94 on the NYSE.

Neither Lachman, Schering-Plough nor FDA officials returned calls seeking comment.