For too long, new treatments for people with kidney disease have been few and far between. In the last year, however, we have been encouraged to see progress in innovations and treatment for people with kidney disease. Recently, five new kidney disease-related drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While we are pleased with this progress, so much more is needed. We want to encourage continual innovation and will keep advocating for FDA approval of kidney-related treatments that patients need, as well as for payment systems that will ensure access to new and innovative drugs.
It's important for the kidney community to be aware of these recently approved medicines, so I want to take an opportunity to provide an overview of these five new drugs:
We are pleased to see this important growth in treatment innovation for the kidney community. But not every drug will work for every patient. People living with kidney disease, as well as all those at risk, deserve more options that are accessible and affordable. We hope the innovation — and approvals — will continue to progress to help the millions of people living with this life-altering disease.
LaVarne A. Burton is the President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund.
