FDA panel flags insufficient data for Merck's chronic cough drug

Advisers to the U.S. health regulator said on Friday that data on Merck's chronic cough drug does not provide sufficient evidence to prove its clinical benefit for patients.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) panel voted 12 to 1 against the late-stage data submitted by Merck for the drug gefapixant, which showed a small reduction in cough frequency compared to a placebo.

Patients who received the treatment also experienced side effects such as loss of taste.