orphan drug

noun

: a drug that is not developed or marketed because its extremely limited use makes it unprofitable

Examples of orphan drug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web It was confirmed that an orphan drug can treat necrosis caused by spitting-cobra venom. Harper's Magazine, 25 June 2024 Because these conditions affect so few people, the financial risks and logistical challenges of developing rare disease therapies — also known as orphan drugs — are often prohibitive. Joe and Courtney Dion, STAT, 10 June 2024 Some drugmakers are lobbying for orphan drugs to be exempt from the price caps being set by state boards. Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 22 Mar. 2024 One bill, dubbed the ORPHAN Cures Act, would allow an orphan drug to avoid negotiation as long as it is approved exclusively for rare diseases. Rachel Cohrs Reprints, STAT, 29 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for orphan drug 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'orphan drug.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1981, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orphan drug was in 1981

Dictionary Entries Near orphan drug

Cite this Entry

“Orphan drug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orphan%20drug. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

orphan drug

noun
: a drug that is not developed or marketed because its extremely limited use (as in the treatment of a rare disease) makes it unprofitable
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