More info

I heard while in the car. Like most human interactions, the issues are complex, and this points a few more of them out.
From The Tavis Smiley Show, Dr. Ian Smith, from Wed. Nov. 17th. Dr. Ian Smith, Race Specific Drugs

Of particular note is the fact that this FDA approval request will extend the patent - and therefore the high price -- on this drug. Imagine that, a pharmaceutical company finding a way to increase profits on a drug that already exists. A secondary issue that the good Mr. Jennings missed.

Without the FDA approval, Doctors could prescribe it off-lable. But once the patent runs out it becomes a cheaper co-pay, or lower cost generic.

This is an interesting in depth examination: How a Drug becomes Ethnic: