What is the primary focus of the Orphan Drug Act of 1983?

The primary focus of the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 is the development of drugs for rare diseases. This legislation was established to encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in the development of treatments for conditions that affect a small patient population, often referred to as orphan diseases. These diseases typically do not provide enough economic incentive for manufacturers to research and develop new therapies due to the limited number of patients who suffer from them.

To promote this, the Orphan Drug Act provides several incentives, including tax credits for clinical research, a period of market exclusivity for seven years upon approval, and assistance in the drug's regulatory approval process. By implementing this framework, the act aims to stimulate pharmaceutical innovation in areas that traditionally lacked sufficient research and development interest, ultimately improving patient access to necessary treatments for rare conditions.