FDA approves Novartis' osteoarthritis gel

PARSIPPANY, N.J. Novartis has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for its Voltaren gel 1 percent that is used for the treatment of the pain associated with osteoarthritis.

The gel, which has been proven to work on both the knees and joints, delivers relief with a systematic absorption that is 94 percent less than an oral voltaren or diclofenac treatment. 

About 21 million people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis and by 2030, there could be 72 million more people at risk for developing the condition.

According to Novartis' senior vice president of research and development, Jorge Insuasty, “Voltaren Gel represents an important clinical milestone—it is the first prescription topical treatment in the US shown to relieve osteoarthritis pain and to clinically prove efficacy in treating both the knees and hands.  Patients now have the option to effectively treat osteoarthritis pain directly at the source with favorable tolerability.”