Web Site Retracts Clarinex Probe Story

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration isn’t probing approval of Schering-Plough Corp.’s allergy drug Clarinex, the Internet publication FDAWebview said, contrary to a report it published Tuesday.

The report of an investigation is “untrue,” the subscriber-based online newsletter reported Wednesday, citing an unnamed FDA source.

FDAWebview on Tuesday reported the FDA was investigating approval of Clarinex because an outside firm that inspected Schering-Plough’s manufacturing plant may have had a conflict of interest. FDA officials said Tuesday that the use of third parties doesn’t pose a conflict. They wouldn’t comment on whether there was an investigation.

“We regret any misleading effect this chain of events has had,” the story said.

Shares of Kenilworth, N.J.-based Schering-Plough rose 83 cents to $30.77 on the New York Stock Exchange after dropping 2.3% on Tuesday.