Many new heart, stroke drugs being created

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- A new report on medicines in the U.S. research pipeline says a record number of drugs to treat heart disease and stroke are being developed.

The report from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America says more than 300 new medicines to treat such diseases are being tested in human clinical trials or are awaiting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That compares with 146 such medicines in development during 2005.

The president of the organization, Billy Tauzine, said the United States leads the world in discovering and developing new medicines, with more research and development of new medicines taking place than in any other country.

Officials said medicines in the research pipeline for heart disease and stroke include 36 for high blood pressure, 33 for heart failure, 16 for heart attacks and 22 for stroke.