Today a new drug was approved for sale to fight against osteoporosis. The new drug Prolia comes from Amgen and is used to help prevent fractures in postmenopausal women. Last week, the medicine received approval for sales overseas.

Prolia is considered to be one of the most important drugs for Amgen’s future. The FDA’s decision was made nearly two months before the agency’s expected date, July 25.

Dr. Julie Beitz, director of an F.D.A. office of drug evaluation, said in a statement “Due to its prevalence, osteoporosis is a serious concern to public health…the approval of Prolia provides another treatment option for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are susceptible to fractures.”

This is good news for the rising number of postmenopausal women who recent studies have shown that one out of every two women over age 50 will break a bone in their lifetime as a result of osteoporosis.

Prolia will join other osteoporosis medications such as Fosamax and Boniva to help fight against bone loss in women over 50.