FDA advisers back NPS’s drug for short bowel syndrome

(Reuters) – U.S. drug advisers on Tuesday backed a drug to treat a rare and serious bowel disorder for which there is no long-term treatment available in the United States. A panel of outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed that NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc had demonstrated that the drug is safe and improves absorption of fluid and nutrients in the intestines of adults with short bowel syndrome. The 12-member panel voted unanimously in the drug’s favor. The FDA usually follows the advice of expert panels. …