'Decade of innovation' changes face of medical care, says report

More than 300 new drugs, biologics and vaccines have been approved over the past 10 years to prevent and treat some 150 conditions, according to a new report by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

The report, A Decade of Innovation, describes how pharmaceutical innovations have advanced the treatment of eight major diseases: high blood pressure, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV/AIDS. The report is the first in a series that will examine advances in the treatment of other diseases and conditions.

Examples of pharmaceutical achievements cited in the report include:

•Four new classes of oral medicines and two new types of insulin have allowed diabetic patients better control of their blood sugar levels and help prevent complications such as blindness and kidney failure;

•Three new classes of medicines (two drugs and one biologic) to improve the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis;

•Medicines that did not exist as early as 1993 and are now the standard of care among neurologists for patients in mild-to-moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease.

'The advances achieved over the last decade have dramatically changed medical care for many serious conditions,' said Alan Holmer, president and ceo of PhRMA. 'As a result, many patients can now be treated effectively with medicines, instead of facing an invasive surgery, lengthy hospital stay, or debilitating chronic condition.'

He noted that at the end of 2002, 28% more medicines were being investigated by pharmaceutical companies for approval by the FDA than a decade ago, with more than 1,000 medicines now in the development pipeline. 'We have only begun to reap the benefits of our investment in pharmaceutical discovery,' Holmer said.