New treatment for osteoporosis offers major benefits for South Florida patients; Fosamax will become first available non-hormonal treatment.

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 1995--The first new treatment for osteoporosis in 20 years promises significant benefits for thousands of South Florida patients, according to a group of local rheumatologists.

An advisory scientific committee last week unanimously recommended Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of Fosamax, a phosphate-based drug that will become the first available non-hormonal treatment for 20 million osteoporosis patients. The hormones estrogen and calcitonin are the only medications now available.

"Thousands of South Florida patients will benefit from this new drug when its becomes available in several months," said Dr. Joseph Forstot, a board-certified rheumatologist and member of Rheumatology Associates of South Florida. With offices in Boca Raton, Delray, Boynton and Pompano Beach, Rheumatology Associates serves more than 21,000 patients, the largest such practice in Florida.

"There are many osteoporosis patients who simply can't tolerate hormones, and others who still have a fear of cancer from hormone therapy," Forstot said. "For these patients, Fosamax provides an excellent alternative. However, the new drug does not provide the benefits of hormone therapy, such as preventing heart disease, elimination of hot flashes and reducing strokes."

Rheumatology Associates, which operates the Osteoporosis Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Boca Raton, has already begun a study on how Fosamax affects patients on cortisone. The study was authorized by the drug's manufacturer, Merck and Co.

The drugs presently used to treat osteoporosis are calcitonin (Calcimar) and etrodinate (Didronel). Calcitonin is a thyroid hormone administered by injection. It is given three to seven times per week for a three to six months period (nasal spray calcitonin is awaiting FDA approval). Etrodinate (Didronel), a biphosphonate drug used for over 25 years for Paget's Disease, has been used for osteoporosis for over eight years.

Fosamax is similar to Didronel in that it works directly on the metabolism of bone to stop former bone mass loss and has been shown to increase bone density when used over years.

"Switching our patients from Didronel to Fosamax will not be a problem," said Forstot. "Fosamax, the next generation of biphosphonates, will have a big impact on osteoporosis treatment."

CONTACT: Marketing Ink, Inc., Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Andrew Rose, 305/428-2678