Merck KGaA's Glucophage Powder cleared in UK and France

Merck Serono, the pharmaceutical unit of Germany's Merck KGaA, says that Glucophage powder for oral solution in sachets (metformin HCl in 500mg,  850mg and 1,000mg strengths) for the first-line treatment of type 2  diabetes, is now approved in France and the UK, the first European  countries to get this new formulation.

Launches in other European countries are expected to take place in the  coming months, once individual marketing authorizations are granted.  Bioequivalent to the existing Glucophage tablets, the new powder  formulation is packaged in individual sachets. This can be easily  dissolved in water to produce a clear to slightly opalescent solution,  the firm noted.

"Adherence to therapy is increasingly being recognized by physicians as  a key condition to achieve glycemic control for patients with diabetes,"  said Roberto Gradnik, executive vice president commercial Europe at  Merck Serono. "We are pleased to provide this innovative powder  formulation of Glucophage to patients seeking a convenient alternative  to tablets which may facilitate their adherence to treatment," he added.