The U.S Food and Drug Administration has given approval to Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) for Voltaren Gel, a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication for osteoarthritic pain.
The gel can be applied directly to joints, such as knees, hands, elbows, to relieve the pain assosciated with osteoarthritic pain. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition in which the cartilage of the joints deteriorates.
"Voltaren Gel represents an important clinical milestone - it is the first prescription topical treatment in the US shown to relieve osteoarthritis pain and to clinically prove efficacy in treating both the knees and hands," said Jorge Insuasty, MD, Senior Vice President, Research and Development, Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. "Patients now have the option to effectively treat osteoarthritis pain directly at the source with favorable tolerability."
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximately 21 million Americans suffer from Osteoarthritis and the aging population is expected to increase with over 72 million more people at risk for developing the condition.
[Source: Medline Plus]
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