Recently the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a variety of new drugs, including the new drug for patients with metastatic melanoma.
Dr. Art Mollen explained to Scott Pasmore that “Yervoy” can extend a patients life with metastatic melanoma.
As far as FDA is concerned, melanoma is the leading cause of death from skin disease. The numbers from the National Cancer Institute reported that 68,ooo new cases were diagnosed last year and about 9,000 people died from the disease.
Yervoy is the first approved therapy drug by the FDA to clearly demonstrate that patients whom have been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma live much longer by taking this treatment method than those who do not. Richard Pazdur, M.D., director of the Drug Evaluation and Research, in a news release explained the advantages of this new drug.
Other new drugs in which were recently approved by the FDA is Toviaz. This particular drug is used to treat overactive bladder in adults. Epiduo, newly introduced for acne gel treatments.
Natroba, a single application head lice treatment for children 4 and older is another recently introduced medication, as well as Natazia – a 4 phase birth control pill for women. Viibryd, the new anti-depressant that stimulates the release of serotonin was FDA approved also. Cycloset is the newest type 2 diabetes medication which resets the metabolism allowing the body to burn any excess sugar.
Many drugs recently released by FDA approval this week, and in addition the new adjustable lap band for people who are significantly overweight and at large risk of heart disease. The new band allows patients to lose up to one third of their body weight within one year.
