Psoriasis Drug, Raptiva, Withdrawn From U.S. Market Due To Risk Of Fatal Brain Infection

The maker of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab) is pulling the drug from the U.S. market because of its association with a rare and usually fatal brain infection. Psoriasis patients taking Raptiva should immediately talk to their doctor about finding an alternative treatment, says the National Psoriasis Foundation. Stopping Raptiva abruptly could lead to a severe psoriasis flare, so patients should be sure to talk to their doctors before they stop treatment.

Genentech, the drug's maker, has announced a phased withdrawal of the drug, which is associated with a higher risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), which can attack people with weakened immune systems.

Genentech researchers say that Raptiva's effects typically wear off by 12 weeks after the patient's last dose. "The risk of developing PML after 12 weeks should be greatly reduced," said Bruce Bebo, Ph.D., Psoriasis Foundation research director. "Raptiva has a fairly short life in the immune system once the patient stops using the drug."

The removal of Raptiva underscores the need for more and better treatment options for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. We need your help to stop this backward trend and demand that people with psoriatic diseases have access to safe and effective treatments.

Here are three ways you can help right now:

• Write your senator and representatives in Congress, asking them to support the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure and Care Act.
• Donate your DNA to the National Psoriasis Victor Henschel BioBank to be used for psoriasis research.
• Support Alyssa's Fund, a campaign dedicated to finding what role the immune system plays in causing psoriatic diseases.

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