The arrival of pirfenidone (Esbriet, Genentech) is offering hope for people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In light of new studies that support its efficacy in slowing progression of the rare and irreversible lung disease, specialty pharmacy experts recommend that teams caring for IPF patients begin enlisting the drug—if they haven’t already.
IPF by the numbers
65 years
Average age at diagnosis
50,000
New cases diagnosed each year
2 to 5 years
Median survival