Breakthroughs Could Mean Healthy Future

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