The identification of certain genes and their molecular activities has allowed scientists to zero-in on how disease develops. In turn, this knowledge has led to the formulation of new drugs capable of controlling symptoms or hopefully, even eradicating disease. As the population ages, new medications are needed to treat disease and increase the quality of life. Many pharmaceutical companies are addressing this need by contributing more research dollars to the development of drugs for seniors. Merck Pharmaceuticals is an example of a company whose drug, Fosamax has benefited many people who suffer from osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a serious disease that decreases bone density.
It has been responsible for more than 250,000 hip fractures annually. Medicare conducted a study of their beneficiaries from 1982 to 1994. It found the disability rate among seniors dropped 1.3 percent per year during that 13 year period. That decrease can be attributed to many of the new drugs that entered the market, some of which are used to treat osteoporosis and arthritis. This is all good news, but new drugs are not cheap.