Healthwise: MSNBC

An FDA advisory committee has approved a pill from Pfizer called tofacitinib. It carries risks, but the panel decides the benefits outweigh them. Currently, 30 to 40 percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis do not respond to the drugs that are currently available. NBC’s Robert Bazell reports.

>>for patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. the symptoms are usually debilitating and now a new drug may be able to help those who have tried other treatments without funding any relief. our report from our chief science correspondent robert bazell.

>>michael collins, a former trader on the chicago commodities exchange, is in constant pain from rheumatoid arthritis, an auto imine disease. every treatment he has tried has failed.

>>i'm looking and hoping for that, maybe there's a miracle out there that takes these symptoms away.

>>it may not be a miracle, but for first time in a decade, an fda advisory committee approved a new drug, called tofacitnab. they're expected to give final approval in months. it affects three times as menies women as men.

>>at first, the medication was hard. it has some side effects.

>>in the past, many patients were left severely disabled. then biological drugzs including embrill and humira came on the market, allowing many but not all patients to live normal lives. 30% to 40% of patients don't respond to the drugs currently available.

>>the fda panel decided the dangers of the new drug, including an increased risk of lymphoma was outweighed by the bftds.

>>colin and thousands like him are hoping the new drug will re relieve their agony.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nightly-news/47362822/#47362822

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