Heidi Belden, PharmD

For a disease that affects an estimated 3.9 million Americans, the treatment of choice works only about 50% of the time for patients with genotype 1, the most common type of hepatitis C virus (HCV) found in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Sustained response rates are slightly higher in genotypes 2 and 3 (up to 80%).

Noncompliance with antirejection drug regimens is the cause of many transplant failures each year. To help transplant patients prepare for their surgery and adhere to their medications, a new mentor program has been established. The program pairs current transplant candidates with former patients as mentors, in an attempt to facilitate transplantation, before and after surgery.

Once referred to as "miracle drugs" for their ability to eradicate infection and save countless lives, antibiotics are losing their battle against resistant organisms, and no fresh supply of novel drugs exists. Unless antibiotic research and development is reinvigorated soon, a public health crisis is imminent.