Thalidomide will be approved in the US for treating leprosy, despite the Food
and Drug Administration鈥檚 earlier misgivings. An expert committee recommended
the move last month, but the FDA was concerned about doctors prescribing it for
other conditions
(This Week, 13 September, p 5).
The FDA now says it will approve the drug, once it has agreed plans to
restrict distribution with Celgene of Warren, New Jersey, the drug鈥檚
manufacturer. Sol Barer, Celgene鈥檚 president, says only 28 days鈥� supply of
thalidomide will be given to a patient at a time. Young women on the drug will
have to undergo pregnancy tests.
