Merck KGaA's French Subsidiary Indicted in France Over Drug Formulation Change

By Cecilia Butini

Merck KGaA's French subsidiary was indicted by a judge in the French city of Marseille after complaints were filed against a change in formulation of a thyroid drug it produces.

The German pharmaceutical and technology company said that the investigation is about the information received by patients on the formulation change of the drug, which is named Levothyrox. It is "not linked to the quality of the new formulation," it said.

The change was prompted by a 2012 request from French authorities, which required companies making thyroid treatments to tighten specifications for levothyroxine sodium content in order to improve the stability of the drug, according to Merck. The new formulation is approved in more than 40 countries, it said.

The company said it is cooperating fully with the justice system.

Write to Cecilia Butini at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

10-19-22 0943ET