Pharmaceutical company Merck’s patent on the Osteoporosis drug “Fosamax” expired in February 2008 leaving the gate open for generic drug makers to roll out low-cost versions.
The brand “Fosamax” is expensive, Merck & Co reported second quarter 2009 sales of $277 million for FOSAMAX alone. Presumably with generics available more people will be able to afford to fill a prescription but it might pay to do some homework first.
Last night ABC turned the spotlight on this class of drugs known as bisphosphonates.
World News: Long-term Use of Popular Class of Osteoporosis Drugs
Frozen Bone Syndrome+Fosamax, Esophagus Cancer+Fosamax, Heart+Fosamax, Jaw Death+Fosamax, Osteonecrosis of the Jaw+Fosamax typed into a search engine will return pages of hits.
Alix Spiegel, December 21, 2009. How A Bone Disease Grew To Fit The Prescription
New York Times, July 15, 2008. Drugs to Build Bones May Weaken Them
Australian Broadcasting Corporation, November 12, 2007. Concern over osteoporosis drug
FDA MedWatch Safety Alert, January 7, 2007. Severe Pain with Osteoporosis Drugs
July 29, 2009. Statement by Merck & Co., Inc., Regarding FOSAMAX® (alendronate sodium) and Rare Cases of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
http://www.merck.com/newsroom/news-release-archive/product/fosamax_statement.html
