Partnerships between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Patient Groups: A Company Example

Abstract

This paper discusses the development of the partnership between Rhône-Poulenc Rorer (RPR) and two patient groups that are dedicated to the care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or (Lou Gehrig disease): the ALS Association (ALSA) and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). This partnership covered the preapproval, approval, and postapproval periods in the drug development of Rilutek® (riluzole), which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients with ALS in 1995. The partnership between RPR and the patient group associations continues to evolve.