Novartis Withdraws Chronic Leukemia Drug Arzerra From Non-U.S. Markets

Novartis will remove its chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment, Arzerra, from non-U.S. markets, limiting its availability outside of the U.S. to compassionate use programs for patients currently benefiting from the drug.

The Swiss pharmaceutical giant said treatments for CLL have increased in availability over the last five years, while only a small population outside of the U.S. uses Arzerra (ofatumumab).

Although the product will not be commercially available outside of the U.S., Novartis said patients accessing the drug through compassionate use programs will be able to continue their use of Arzerra free of charge for as long as they benefit from it.