Behcet's Disease, also known as Behcet's syndrome, is a rare, chronic, autoimmune, autoinflammatory disorder of unknown origin. Although Behcet's Disease is recognized worldwide, prevalence is highest in countries in the eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, and East Asia, along the ancient Silk Road.
In recent decades, we have made incredible progress in the fight against rare diseases like Behcet's. But we still have a long way to go.
Currently there are no FDA approved treatments for Behcet's patients. All that is available are medicines aimed at reducing discomfort. For Behcet's patients, and thousands of other men women and children with incurable disorders, research means hope -- hope for better treatments and, most of all, hope for a cure.
For nearly 25 years, PDUFA has helped increase the number of new treatments available to patients who struggle rare diseases. Now, with more than 560 medicines in the pipeline for us, it is critically important that FDA is equipped to keep up with the rapid pace of treatment innovation.
Every five years, PDUFA must be reauthorized by Congress. Without such Congressional action, it will expire in September 2017. On behalf of patients everywhere, we need PDUFA.