Drug repurposing in NCDs: benefits and challenges

Abstract

This review focuses on repurposing of drugs for the treatment of noncommunicable diseases. Drug repurposing is the development of new indications for existing drugs. Noncommunicable diseases are causing large number of deaths every year. Therefore, drug repurposing is an effective strategy for the treatment of noncommunicable diseases. This review discusses the methods, benefits and challenges of drug repurposing as well as all the approved repurposed drugs for NCDs and the repurposed drugs that are awaiting approval by the FDA. Considering the challenges faced due to repurposing of drugs, some recommendations are put forward to improve the future of drug repurposing.