News Summary: Pfizer gets OK for leukemia drug

WASHINGTON (AP) — FDA APPROVAL: The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a new drug from Pfizer for treating a rare form of blood and bone-marrow cancer.

BAD BLOOD CELLS: Pfizer’s Bosulif is a daily pill to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, a disease that causes the bone marrow to produce unhealthy white blood cells. White blood cells are needed to help the body fight off infection.

ORPHAN DRUG: An estimated 5,430 patients will be diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia this year, according to the FDA. The agency cleared Bosulif under its program for drugs intended to treat rare diseases.