Is fibromyalgia a disease?

Is fibromyalgia a disease?
Feb 2009

Is fibromyalgia a disease? Despite being recognized as a disease by
the FDA and insurers, the pain that marks the condition tends to be long-
standing and vague. The cause is unknown, and there’s no lab test to
guide diagnosis.

Nevertheless, Pfizer and Eli Lilly, both of which now have drugs
approved to treat fibromyalgia, are spending heavily on marketing to
raise awareness of the disorder. Pfizer and Lilly donated more than $6
million in the first three quarters of last year to nonprofits for medical
conferences and educational campaigns around fibromyalgia. [1]

Whatever the motive, the push has paid off. Between the first quarter of
2007 and the fourth quarter of 2008, sales rose from $395 million to
$702 million for Pfizer's Lyrica, and $442 million to $721 million for Lilly's
Cymbalta. [2]

[1]Pfizer and Lilly Plow Marketing Money Into Fibromyalgia, The
Wallstreet Journal, February 9, 2009, 9:18 am [2] AP IMPACT:
Drugmakers' push boosts 'murky' ailment The Associated Press
February 8, 2009