Arthritis Rx moves toward OTC aisles

Arthritis now affects 1-in-every-6 Americans, making it one of the most widespread diseases in the United States. In total there are 46 million doctor-diagnosed cases, and experts predict that count to rise to 67 million by 2020.

In a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control, cases were expected to rise in all but two states and the District of Columbia. Of the current 46 million suffers, only about 300,000 are children. It also is more prevalent in women than men.

The arthritis umbrella is wide, with a reported 100 variations of the disease that affects the joints, surrounding tissues and connective tissue causing pain and sometimes disfigurement. The three most common forms are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.

With 19 million of the 46 million afflicted debilitated by the disease, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the country. The financial toll is up to $128 billion a year for medical and social costs, according to the CDC. The latest Food and Drug Administration report shows the condition results in 750,000 hospital stays and 36 million outpatient visits annually.

Treatment remains focused on management, with seven drug classes containing both prescription and OTC products now in use. They are: analgesics, biologic response modifiers, corticosteroids, DMARDS, fibromyalgia medications, gout medications, NSAIDS, osteoporosis medications and Sjogren’s Syndrome drugs.

According to a June report from market research firm Mintel of Chicago, Enbrel, Remicade, Rituxan and Mobic ranked among the top-selling arthritis drugs.

The report also noted that sales of OTC products had risen in the wake of the market withdrawal of Vioxx and Betrax, in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The use of prescription medications to treat osteoarthritis has declined from 45 percent in 2005 to 36 percent in 2006, while the use of OTC products rose from 40 percent in 2004 to 47 percent in 2006.

Manufacturers have been responding to the desire for OTC pain relievers, not just for arthritis but for all ailments, according to Mintel. From 2001 through May 2007, 157 new medications have been launched, with 2006 boasting the highest number at 36.