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November 5, 2010 - One of the diseases associated with liver failure and identified in the Social Security Administration's listing of impairments is Hepatitis C. Two new treatment drugs are showing promising results and are now entering a race to gain approval from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
A report from The Boston Globe showcases Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and their new drug telaprevir as well as Merck & Co.'s drug boceprevir. Vertex's recently released studies at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease showed that trials using telaprevir cut treatment times in patients in half, as well as curing about 90% of the patients in late-stage clinical trials.
Merck & Co. also presented case results showing comparable cure rates to telaprevir, with treatment time reduction to 66%. Both drugs are protease inhibitors that attack the Hepatitis C virus directly. Current treatments block cellular genes that host the virus and have failed to cure nearly 300,000 patients in the last 7 years.
Both drug companies are seeking to file applications for approval with the FDA by the end of the year. The approval of these new treatments may save more than 10,000 lives a year by preventing scarring of the liver, liver failure and cancer from developing.
Hepatitis C is classified by the Social Security Administration as a potentially disabling condition on its listing of impairments. It can cause many complications such as fatigue, pain, and aggravation of other related conditions. If you or a loved one suffers complications from diagnosed Hepatitis C, you may be able to file for Social Security disability benefits.
Contacting a Ft. Lauderdale Social Security Attorney
If you or your loved is suffering from a severe physical or mental disability, you should contact a Social Security Disability lawyer immediately to learn about your rights and determine eligibility. The process of securing Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits can be difficult and overwhelming. Don't go it alone! The attorneys at LaVan & Neidenberg, located in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, understand the inner workings of the Social Security Administration and will help you navigate the system. Call us today for a FREE legal consultation - 1-888-234-5758