Article: New drugs offer hope at huge price.(prescription drugs, biologics)

Byline: Katie Merx

Jul. 25--A new wave of prescription drugs that offer hope for improved treatment of chronic, debilitating diseases could become a health care tsunami as more of the drugs hit the market and drive up costs.

Known as specialty pharmaceuticals, or biologics, the new drugs are targeting such diseases as cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. They're credited with providing such benefits as giving some rheumatoid arthritis sufferers the ability to work and dress themselves.

Biologics are different than traditional bottle-on-the-bedstand medicines. They are derived from genetic engineering, require ...

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