New Medicines In Development For Minorities (NAPSA)—The bad news is that minority communities— especially African-American—are at higherrisk for certain diseases such as asthma, breast cancer, diabetes, prostate cancer and sickle cell disease. For example, the American Lung Association reports that African-Americans face higher rates of asthma than white Americans and are three times more likely to die from the disease. The good newsis that there are nearly 700 new medicines now being developed at U.S. pharmaceutical research companies to help treat diseases that adversely affect African-Americans, accord- Medicines are now being developed for diseasesthat take a high toll on the minority communities. Further, according to the Depart- ment of Health and Human Ser- ing to a recent report from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). vices’ (HHS) Office of Minority “The reasonsfor the health disparity between African-Americans and other Americans are complex Nearly 100 medicines are now being tested for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, Tauzin. “But these 691 medicines now being developed represent being developed to treat diabetes may also improve the health of likelihood that every American tion, African-Americans suffer New Hope and not fully understood,” said PhRMAPresident and CEO Billy real hope for closing the troubling health gap and increasing the can share in the benefits of med- ical progress.” For instance, a new asthma medicine now in late-stage developmentis one of a new generation Health, 35 percent of African- American women are more likely to die from the disease. New Medicines according to the newreport. Ninety-five new medicines minority communities. According to the American Diabetes Associa- from diabetes at twice the rate of white Americans. A new,first-in-class medicine in development has been shown to of inhaled corticosteroids. The significantly improve long-term glycemic control in clinical trials. lung-targeted anti-inflammatory new medicine could improve the the side effects often associated with steroid use. glucose that causes type 2 (adult drug, which is being tested for its effects, results in almost none of Like asthma, breast cancer has also had a particularly harsh impact on the African-American community. African-American womenare 10 percent more likely to be diagnosed with the disease. By increasing levels of GLP-1, the imbalance between insulin and onset) diabetes. The new report about drugs in development—specifically, drugs that target those diseases prevalent among African-Americans—is available on PhRMA’s Website at www.phrma.org.
