A Less Costly Regimen of Alglucerase to Treat Gaucher's Disease

ALGLUCERASE (Ceredase), "the world's most expensive drug," 1 provides effective enzyme-replacement therapy for Gaucher's disease. However, the high cost of the medication has placed it out of reach for many patients. In the study that validated its effectiveness, alglucerase was administered at a dose of 60 U per kilogram of body weight every two weeks to 10 patients, and every week to 2 others. It was recommended that treatment at a dose of 60 U per kilogram be given every week to patients affected particularly severely, and every two weeks to others. 2 Although a reduction in dosage was recommended after six . . .