By: Emily Mullin
In the United States, a rare disease is defined as one that affects fewer than 200,000 people. Because rare diseases affect such small populations and because they are so diverse, it is difficult to conduct the clinical trials that might lead to cures. The Orphan Drug Act of 1983 provided incentives for drug companies to develop treatments for rare diseases. That improved matters somewhat: Before 1983, only 38 drugs for rare diseases had been developed, while 400 have been approved since the law went into effect. But 2015 saw considerable progress, with 21 out of 45 new drugs approvals for rare or “orphan” diseases. [Read more…]
Source: Washington Post