FDA approves oral pill for postpartum depression for first time

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday approved Biogen and Sage Therapeutics' oral pill to treat postpartum depression (PPD) in adults. The companies had sought the FDA's approval for the drug, Zurzuvae, to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), or clinical depression, as well as postpartum depression, which affect millions of people. The statement said the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter for the New Drug Application for Zurzuvae in the treatment of adults with MDD. Analysts have anticipated that the stocks of both companies would fall if the drug was approved only for postpartum depression, due to the smaller patient population. Until now, the FDA said, treatment for postpartum depression was available only as an intravenous injection.