Comment from Infectious Diseases Society of America
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Summary: The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) supports the FDA's focus on drug repurposing, particularly for rare, emerging, and antimicrobial-resistant infectious diseases. They argue that repurposing is essential due to a lack of commercial incentives for new drug development and provide specific examples of drugs that should be considered for expanded use.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America appreciates the opportunity to comment on this RFI. Drug repurposing is important to the treatment of infectious diseases because in current medical practice, there are not sufficient approved treatments or therapies for many infectious diseases. Very rare or emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial-resistant infections often do not have adequate commercial incentives for the development of new drugs. IDSA appreciates the work of FDA in this area and has welcomed previous opportunities to collaborate with the agency on the CURE ID platform.
IDSA agrees that rare diseases should be a priority area for FDA, especially rare infectious diseases, new antimicrobial-resistant infections and emerging infectious diseases, particularly those with pandemic potential. Up to 43% of U.S. prescriptions for anti-infective agents are for drug repurposing or off-label uses.