Jennifer Matthews: This is a healthy bone, and this is the bone of a woman with osteoporosis.
Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa: It's a tremendous public health problem. The most important thing is it's preventable.
Jennifer Matthews: Each year, the condition causes one and a half million fractures with nearly 20 billion dollars spent on medical care. Approved medications, hormone therapy or calcium can slow the natural breakdown of bone. Doctor Sunil Wimalawansa hopes the heart medication nitroglycerin will do even more.
Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa: This is the only drug that seems to have an effect on the formation at the same time. No other drug has both functions at any given time, so this is unique.
Jennifer Matthews: And it has other benefits.
Dr. Sunil Wimalawansa: It's about 20-times cheaper than any of the approved drugs right now so economically, it's good for the patient. Secondly, there are very little adverse effects.
Jennifer Matthews: Patients like Judy Hanes are excited to have an alternative to hormones.
Judy Hanes: I think this method is a little bit healthier than the hormone replacement.
Jennifer Matthews: 200 study participants will rub the ointment on their body once a day and take calcium supplements. Regular bone density scans will show how well it works. This health conscious physical education teacher does what she can to keep herself well.
Judy Hanes: I do workout a little bit with the students by helping them to stretch and become more aware of healthy eating habits, which I do try to follow as well.
Jennifer Matthews: And if studies continue to show success, she'll have another way to keep her bones strong. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services