New types of medicines are helping doctors treat conditions ranging from blindness to cancer. In fact, in 2006 alone, the FDA approved 29 new medicines developed by American pharmaceutical and bio-research companies.
Here's a look at some breakthrough treatments on the horizon.
Cancer Treatments
Five new medicines were approved for the treatment of cancer, including a first-of-its-kind treatment for certain colorectal cancers. Medicines for a rare group of bone marrow diseases, leukemia and lymphoma were approved as well.
Diabetes And Blindness
As an increasing number of Americans are being diagnosed with diabetes, the FDA approved a new treatment for the condition. Additionally, a new medicine will be used to treat blindness in 2007.
New Vaccines
Four new vaccines were approved, including one for the prevention of influenza, one for the prevention of cervical cancer, one for a virus that attacks infants and children and one that prevents the reactivation of a common childhood virus.
A Healthy Future
According to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), companies have more than 2,000 new drugs in their development pipelines. While these new drugs represent potentially lifesaving news for thousands, the cost of future breakthroughs remains high.
A report from the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development found that the average research and development cost of an approved medicine is $802 million. This represents a 250 percent cost increase from a decade ago.
Fortunately, groups are working to prevent these added costs from being passed on to consumers. For instance, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) plan helps patients without access to prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need. Additionally, Medicare Part D could help millions of Americans access prescription drug benefits.
By: Stacey Moore