New FDA Approvals: FDA Expands Patient Population for Diacomit

July 14: The FDA expanded the patient population of Biocodex, Inc.’s Diacomit (stiripentol) for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome in people between the ages of 6 months to 2 years and weighing at least 7 kg who are taking clobazam. The agency first approved the treatment on Aug. 20, 2018. The drug is available as a capsule and an oral suspension. Dosing is 50 mg/kg/day for both routes of administration. Drugs.com lists the price of 60 250 mg capsules and 60 250 mg powder for reconstitution as more than $1,589.

July 14: The FDA expanded the label of Pfizer Inc.’s Xalkori (crizotinib) to include the treatment of people at least 1 year old with unresectable, recurrent or refractory inflammatory anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive myofibroblastic tumors. The agency initially approved the kinase inhibitor on Aug. 26, 2011. The FDA gave the agent orphan drug designation and granted the application priority review; that review used the Assessment Aid, a voluntary submission from the applicant to assist the FDA in its analysis. Dosing for the newest indication of the capsule in adults is 250 mg twice daily. The recommended pediatric dosage is 280 mg.m² twice daily based on body surface area. Drugs.com lists the price of 60 250 mg capsules as more than $20,657.