Diplomat Pharmacy to distribute Novartis' latest iron chelation therapy

FLINT, Mich. — Diplomat Pharmacy on Monday announced it will distribute Jadenu, a drug recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with chronic iron overload. 

 

Chronic iron overload is a life-threatening toxicity that results from blood transfusions required to treat sickle cell disease, myelodysplastic syndromes, thalassemia and other conditions. Chronic iron overload also can occur in patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia syndromes, due to increased iron absorption in the stomach and intestines. If left untreated, chronic iron overload can damage the liver and heart.

 

Jadenu is a new oral formulation of Exjade (deferasirox) for the treatment of chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions in patients age 2 years and older, and chronic iron due to NTDT in patients age 10 years and older. The new drug is the only once-daily oral iron chelator that can be swallowed whole. It can be taken in a single step, with or without a light meal, simplifying daily treatment administration.

 

"Novartis has had a long-term commitment to improving the lives of patients with chronic iron overload," said Bruno Strigini, president, Novartis Oncology. "Exjade transformed iron chelation therapy. We responded to feedback from patients and their physicians, and now Jadenu, by simplifying treatment administration, offers an important new option to help meet these patients' needs."