People who currently take etanercept (EnbrelÒ) for their ankylosing spondylitis or a related disease should expect to be able to get their prescriptions filled by the end of June, according to Robin Shapiro, Immunex spokeswoman. If at that time, Ms. Shapiro suggests, they continue to experience delays, they should call the (888) 4ENBREL help line for further information.

It is estimated that the wait for people who are on the waiting list will continue until the FDA can approve a new manufacturing facility in Rhode Island. Immunex is targeting this summer to file for approval of the facility with the FDA, and the FDA has said that they could approve the facility in as little as four months (but it could take longer).

EnbrelÒ is a chronic drug and usually once it is stopped disease symptoms generally will return within one month.