FDA Delays Meeting On Merck's Surgery Drug

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Friday it wants to conduct more site inspections before holding a meeting on whether to approve a drug made by Merck & Co Inc. used in surgeries. The drug, known as sugammadex, is designed to reverse the effects of muscle relaxers used in surgery. The FDA had planned to discuss the drug at a March 18 meeting but it now appears that it won't be on the agency's agenda until at least April 22. The Wall Street Journal reported that Merck inherited the drug when it acquired Schering-Plough in 2009, and it had been rejected by the FDA a year before the merger. Merck reapplied in 2013 and the drug was again rejected. Merck shares ended the day up slightly and were off marginally after hours.