The FDA's panel of psychiatric experts voted to approve the use of three drugs produced by AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and Pfizer for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in patients ages ten to seventeen. The drugs, already approved for treatment of adults, represent a remarkable achievement in the struggle against these devastating diseases, which affect 2.4 million and 5.7 million Americans, respectively.
There are significant obstacles to getting drugs for children approved, notes Dr. Whelan, so it s always wonderful news that drug companies are making these breakthroughs and showing them to be safe.