NEW TREATMENT APPROVED FOR CANADIAN PSORIASIS PATIENTS

Health Canada has approved Raptiva (efalizumab), a biological therapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Raptiva is the first continuous-use biological therapy approved in Canada that can provide effective and safe continuous control of psoriasis signs and symptoms.

Approximately 1 million Canadians suffer from psoriasis - a lifelong, immune-mediated skin disease that can significantly affect a patient's well-being. Plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the disease, is characterized by inflamed patches of skin (lesions) topped with silvery white scales.