New Drug Approvals: April 2005

Date of Approval: April 7, 2005

Company: Merck & Co., Inc.

Treatment for Osteoporosis

Fosamax Plus D is a single once-weekly tablet containing the bisphosphonate drug alendronate, and seven days’ worth of vitamin D, an essential nutrient required for calcium absorption. Fosamax Plus D is used to reduce the risk of hip and spinal fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, and to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis.

Company: Bausch & Lomb

Treatment for Chronic Non-Infectious Uveitis

Date of Approval: April 28, 2005

Company: Amylin Pharmaceuticals / Eli Lilly & Co.

Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus Type II

Byetta is an incretin mimetic formulated for self-administration as a fixed dose, subcutaneous injection given prior to the morning and evening meals. Byetta is indicated as as adjunctive therapy to improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes who have not achieved adequate control on metformin and/or a sulfonylurea, two common oral diabetes medications.