The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on Friday a drug for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis. The drug is the first oral medication designed to slow progression of the autoimmune disease. The drug is called Arava (leflunomide). The drug does not cure rheumatoid arthritis, but it has been shown in clinical trials to provide relief for painful, swollen joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis and to retard damage to joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic destruction of connective tissue that is most often diagnosed in women aged 36 to 50, and is caused by an abnormal immune system attack on the body's tissues. About 2 million people in the US have been diagnosed with the disorder. Arava will be available by mid-October, according to the manufacturer.

COMMENT: Another drug that will likely cause more harm than good. If you know anyone who has rheumatoid arthritis, I would strongly encourage you to have them visit the site www.rheumatic.org. I have a very comprehensive protocol listed on how to effectively treat this crippling disease. Tens of thousands of people have gone into remission with this approach.