Sarah Jane Tribble
From this contributor
U.S. drug agency moves to guard against abuse of ‘orphan drug’ program
The Food and Drug Administration is changing the way it approves medicines known as 'orphan drugs' after revelations that drugmakers may be abusing a law intended to help patients with rare diseases.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170919KHNOrphanDrugFDA844.jpg)
U.S. drug agency moves to guard against abuse of ‘orphan drug’ program
Pharma teams up with rare-disease advocacy groups on Capitol Hill
Critics say vulnerable patients are being manipulated and the goals promoted are skewed by the pharma benefactors who want faster government approval for new products.
![Shira Strongin, left, and Emily Muller, right, pose at the Rare Disease Legislative Advocates conference in Washington, D.C., on 28 February 2017.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/advocacy-1_770.jpg)
Pharma teams up with rare-disease advocacy groups on Capitol Hill
U.S. government plans to probe orphan drug program
Acting on a request from three influential U.S. senators, the government’s accountability arm confirmed that it will investigate potential abuses of the Orphan Drug Act.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/AP_17080695373187.jpg)
U.S. government plans to probe orphan drug program
Senators call for investigation into possible abuses of Orphan Drug Act
Building on weeks of mounting pressure to address high prescription drug prices, three influential U.S. senators have asked the government’s accountability arm to probe the orphan drug program for potential misuse.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/201703-OrphanDrugGOA-844.jpg)
Senators call for investigation into possible abuses of Orphan Drug Act
Former head of FDA concerned about faster drug approvals
Robert Califf, the just-departed commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, offers his take on the Trump administration's plans to speed up drug approvals and dramatically reduce regulations at the agency.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/201702tk-KHNCaliff844.jpg)
Former head of FDA concerned about faster drug approvals
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Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.