An orphan drug designation is a specific designation given to a type of drug by the FDA. The FDA grants this destination to certain types of drugs to encourage people to pursue treatment options for diseases that impact a very low number of people, preventing them from being “orphaned,” or overlooked. An orphan drug designation is usually given to a drug that treats a condition that impacts fewer than one out of every 200,000 people in the United States. Drugs that received this designation are eligible for a wide variety of incentives including qualified clinical trials and tax credits. The goal of the program is to spur research into treatment options for diseases that are traditionally overlooked.
If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free: Call:1-800-273-TALK (8255) Text: HELLO to 741741
