Copaxone, using different approach, also seeks FDA approval.TEVA TEVA Tucson Electric Vehicle Association Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd. is seeking FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. approval for Copaxone (copolymer copolymer: see polymer. 1) for relapsing-remitting MS. A report on its multicenter clinical trial, which was supported by National MS Society funds, is also in the July 1995 issue of Neurology. Copaxone is a synthetic compound resembling one of the building blocks of myelin myelin /my·elin/ (mi´e-lin) the lipid-rich substance of the cell membrane of Schwann cells that coils to form the myelin sheath surrounding the axon of myelinated nerve fibers. . Destruction of myelin, a fatty material that insulates nerve fibers, causes the many and varied symptoms of MS. In the clinical trial, the rate of relapse was reduced by about 30% and some people who received the drug showed improvement in disability. Those taking the inert placebo continued to worsen. Copaxone is taken by "under the skin" injection every day. The drug is available to people with early relapsing-remitting MS through a "Treatment IND" program. Because the drug has not been approved, the cost, about $7,320 a year, is not covered not covered Health care adjective Referring to a procedure, test or other health service to which a policy holder or insurance beneficiary is not entitled under the terms of the policy or payment system–eg, Medicare. Cf Covered. by most insurance. TEVA has established a patient assistance program that may help. |
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