FDA Approves Drug for Treatment of Plague Through Animal Efficacy Rule
On April 27, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approved Levaquin (levofloxacin), a drug used to treat those afflicted with plague. In addition to treating those with the deadly infection, Levaquin is also approved to reduce the risk of contracting plague after exposure to Yersinia pestis, the bacteria responsible for causing the disease. Although the FDA estimates that only 1,000 to 2,000 people worldwide contract the infection each year, the Agency is interested in expanding available treatment options for the disease based on its belief that it could potentially be used as a bioterrorism agent in the future.…