Archive for the ‘Drugs’ Category
Vertex Drug
The Food and Drug Administration typically follows the panel’s advice, so an approval for Vertex is widely expected by May 23.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals yesterday got the votes it needed for its potential blockbuster hepatitis C drug.A panel of federal health experts gave its unanimous endorsement of the Cambridge firm after reviewing the safety and effectiveness of its telaprevir tablet.Although tests revealed side effects such as anemia and rashes, the panel praised the drug’s apparent 80 percent cure rate for the virus, up from 40 percent for current treatments.Vertex’s drug would go up against rival Merck’s boceprevir, which won support from the same panel on Wednesday. The companies are vying for a potentially multibillion-dollar market for their drugs.