Ribavirin gets EU orphan status
The EC has granted orphan drug status designation to ICN Pharmaceuticals' intravenous ribavirin (Virazole) for the treatment of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome following a positive opinion from EMEA. The broad-spectrum antiviral drug is currently licensed to Schering-Plough for use in capsule form (Rebetol) to treat chronic hepatitis C patients in combination with recombinant interferon 2a, and for aerosol use in the treatment of hospitalised infants and young children with lower respiratory tract infection from respiratory syncytial virus. It is marketed in a total of 44 countries for 10 viral conditions.