When was this published?

This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7.

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business

Half of newly developed drugs are the result of this 1983 Law

Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stacker, KVIA ABC-7 · July 21, 2026 · 7 min read

“Orphan” drugs were once a market almost no company wanted. Four decades later, they make up more than half of the new drugs the Food and Drug Administration approves. In 2024, the FDA’s drug center approved 50 new medicines. More than half of them (26 in all) were built to treat a rare disease. ...

Why this matters in The El Paso

The impact of the Orphan Drug Act can be seen in El Paso's own medical community, where patients with rare diseases now have more treatment options available to them. Local hospitals and healthcare providers have likely seen an increase in the number of medications available to treat these conditions, improving the quality of care for patients. The act's incentives have also created opportunities for local researchers and scientists to develop new treatments, potentially leading to breakthroughs in the field. As the city's medical sector continues to grow, the influence of the Orphan Drug Act will likely be felt in the development of new treatments and therapies, bringing hope to patients and families affected by rare diseases in the El Paso area. The increased availability of these medications may also lead to more clinical trials and research studies being conducted in El Paso, further solidifying the city's position as a hub for medical innovation.

About this story

Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7. The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: business · Published: July 21, 2026 · Source: KVIA ABC-7 · Reading time: 7 min

Summary created by	The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Stacker, KVIA ABC-7
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 21, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 21, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Half of newly developed drugs are the result of this 1983 Law

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