Forest’s Savella to be available in pharmacies

Forest has announced its treatment for fibromyalgia will soon be available in pharmacies.

A joint venture with Cypress Bioscience, Savella is expected to be distributed to wholesalers on April 24th and should be available for patients from April 28th.

The drug, which is also known as milnacipran HCl, is a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor.

It was approved on January 14th by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of the chronic condition.

As well as experiencing widespread pain, patients with the illness commonly suffer decreased physical function.

Last month, the FDA approved Forest’s drug application for Lexapro to treat major depressive disorder in adolescents aged between 12 and 17.

Howard Solomon, chairman and chief executive officer of the pharmaceutical company, remarked the firm has long believed the medication would be beneficial for the demographic.

Already approved for generalised anxiety disorder, the drug is thought to work by restoring the chemical balance in the brain.

Mr Solomon concluded: “We are enormously gratified that Lexapro will be available for depressed adolescents.”