FDA rejects Schering-Plough, Merck combo allergy drug

NEW YORK, April 25 (Reuters) - Drugmakers Schering-Plough Corp (SGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Merck & Co (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected a proposed allergy/rhinitis drug that would have combined two best-selling drugs, Claritin and Singulair into one tablet.

The FDA accepted for review the proposed drug last August. Today, the two companies said they received a "not-approvable" letter from the FDA for the combination product. They didn't say why the FDA rejected the drug.

The companies said they are "evaluating the agency's response." (Reporting by Dane Hamilton; editing by Carol Bishopric) (Reuters messaging: dane.hamilton.reuters.com@reuters.net. 646 223 6000)