Blockbuster Osteoporosis Drug Moves Towards FDA Approval

Boy I'm keeping my fingers crossed on this one!!  I'm one of those, don't believe it until I see it, regarding FDA approval, but it does look really good.  I've been following this particular drug for about 4 years and never thought this day would arrive.  Sure wish I had bought stock when it was really cheap, because it just keeps going up.

What do you think about it's use for those undergoing estrogen ablation tx?  Interesting-eh?  My docs first reaction, about a two years ago, was luke warm, but last summer she attended the ASBMR's symposium on it where they presented the head to head with Fosamax and came back all jazzed about it.  Quite a turn-around from our first conversation when she told me I was being pretty optimistic thinking it would be approved and I could even consider it!  Her only concern seem to be it's ability to cause anaphalaxis, and infections since it's a antibody.  She felt there will be a lot of people who wouldn't be able to take it if they had auto-immune or similar probs.  Well as far as I know I don't have any of those, and so if it's approved I'll just have to wait and see *if* my insurance will pay for it with all the cut backs we've been seeing.  If they hold to this qualification of a -2.5 or lower lumbar score I may not qualify, unless they've changed that, or leave it up to the treating physician.

Thanks again--this is good news--if the FDA doesn't have a change of heart for some reason.  Oh one thing, for everyone, keep your eye on *any* FDA post-marketing surveilance on it once it's available just to be on the safe side.  I'm in the midst of trying to decide what to do about the Forteo registry Eli Lily wants us to join, to track possible osteosarcoma in Forteo users.

Great Job and News...

For a clear indication of what is wrong with the US health system compare the two articles and their projected annual costs for Prolia/denosumab--$850-$1200 for the US and 80-100 Pounds in the UK, the rough equivalent of $130-$180.  I could fly to England twice a year and stil come out ahead.