Healthy Skepticism Library item: 923

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

The Associated Press.
F.D.A. Approves Monthly Osteoporosis Pill
The New York Times 2005 Mar 26

Full text:

A once-a-month pill to help women battle the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The drug, Boniva, will be the first monthly osteoporosis medication, said Dr. Ronald Emkey of Radiant Research in Reading, Pa., which conducted trials of the drug. Current medications are taken weekly.

Boniva was approved late Thursday, and it is being jointly promoted by the makers, GlaxoSmithKline and Roche.

The companies estimate that 44 million Americans older than 50 suffer from osteoporosis.

Also known as ibandronate sodium, Boniva, in 150 milligram tablets, is intended for treating and preventing postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The makers expect the medication to go on sale, by prescription, next month.

The companies said a support program would help patients remember to take the drug every month.