FDA Panel Backs Roche Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug, Actemra

Boston (dbTechno) - An FDA panel recommended that the approval of a new rheumatoid arthritis drug from Roche Holdings AG, known as Actemra.

The drug has been the center of some safety concerns, as explained by the medical experts.

Overall though, the pandel has told the FDA that the benefits of the new drug far outweigh the risks associated with it.

Roche has been working to get the new drug approved by the FDA to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes chronic pain for patients, beating up on joints in the body.

Side effects it has been linked to have caused concern, such as liver problems, and infections.

The FDA is not forced to follow the advise of the panel, but traditionally goes by what they say.