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Meaning of orphan drug

Source language: EnglishDictionary language: English

orphan drug

noun

Definitions

  1. A medicinal drug which is effective in the treatment of some disease(s), but which is not manufactured or marketed because the demand is insufficient to cover the costs of supply.

    Example: Tragically, her disease is so rare that the only effective medicine is an orphan drug.

  2. A drug as defined under the Orphan Drug Act (1983).