Takeda gets approval for Actonel and Benet

Takeda Pharmaceutical has announced it has gained approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare for the additional indication of two drugs for Paget’s disease of bone.

Risedronate sodium hydrate will be delivered in new packaging under the names 17.5 Actonel mg tablets and Benet 17.5 mg tablets.

Takeda and Ajinomoto Company jointly developed the antiosteoporotic agent.

Actonel will be distributed by the Eisai Company and Takeda will distribute Benet.

Paget’s disease of bone is a condition whereby bones thicken due to an excessive amount of bone metabolism. This can lead to deformity, fractures, pain and osteosarcoma.

The presence of the disease in Japan is currently low, according to Takeda, with an estimate of 200 to 300 patients.

In the UK around five people in 100 who are over the age of 50 have Paget’s disease although it is undiagnosed in many cases, according to Arthritis Research Campaign.

Most commonly affected bones in the body are the femur, pelvis, spine, tibia and skull.