A FDA Panel recommended the approval of a proposed hepatitis C drug, telaprevir, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The final decision of FDA in this regard is expected in May. After a thorough discussion, doctors and regulators stated that the drug is effective but warned of some side effects also.  Anemia and rashes may be the side-effects of Telaprevir.

“I think this is a long-awaited landmark day for patients with hepatitis C”, said Barbara H. McGovern, a committee member and associate professor of medicine at Boston.

Other committee members also cited that Telaprevir is supposed to be a better cure for Hepatitis C compared to other treatments.

The recommendation from panel came a day after it recommended the approval of another Hepatitis C drug, Boceprevir, developed by Merck & Co.

Both of these drugs aim to block protease enzyme. It helps in preventing replication of virus.