The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) purchased a supply of a drug used in radiologic and nuclear emergencies. The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) spent $290 million of Project BioShield funding for the purchase.
The drug, Nplate, is used to treat blood cell injuries in patients with acute radiation syndrome (ARS). It was approved for the treatment of ARS in January 2021 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
When exposed to high doses of radiation, people may develop ARS or radiation sickness that is associated with low platelet counts, which can inhibit blood clotting and lead to life-threatening bleeding episodes. Nplate stimulates the production of platelets to control bleeding.
In addition to ARS, the medication is also used in patients with immune thrombocytopenia, for which it was originally approved in 2008.
“Repurposing drugs for [ARS] that also are approved for a commercial indication helps to sustain availability of the product and improves health care provider familiarity with the drug,” a press release from HHS noted.
Source: HHS, October 4, 2022.
