Latest Psoriasis Association News

Support People Supporting the Psoriasis Association!
• Damian Tranter is attempting to complete the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on June 20th 2009
• Dominic Owen and Andrea Galimberti are running the Great North Run on September 20th 2009. To sponsor Dominic, please visit his Just Giving page - www.justgiving.com/dom_owen
• Nick Collins is opening a stunning 4 acre wild flower meadow on the weekend of June 27th and 28th 2009 between 10am and 5pm, at Barton Grange, Water Lane, Worlingworth, Surrey, IP13 7PE. There will be a children’s trail, competitions and other stalls. Admission £2 per adult (to include coffee or tea), children free.
Ploughman lunches served between noon and 2pm - £3.50.
The Psoriasis Association is extremely grateful to all who fundraise on our behalf

Statement regarding research on BBC New Website
The Psoriasis Association welcomes new research that furthers the understanding of this complex condition. The research is not clear regarding how much the association between psoriasis and high blood pressure or diabetes is drug related – we know that Ciclosporin (a tablet used to treat moderate to severe psoriasis) can lead to high blood pressure.
The Psoriasis Association hopes that this type of research can lead to a greater understanding of psoriasis and its link with other inflammatory conditions, and ultimately a greater standard of care for the psoriasis patient, taking all the facets of an autoimmune condition into consideration. We would urge anyone concerned about developing diabetes or high blood pressure to make an appointment to discuss it with their GP. The BBC report can be found here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8008038.stm

European Medicines Agency recommends suspension of the marketing authorisation of Raptiva (Efalizumab)
The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recently reviewed Efalizumab (Raptiva) following concerns regarding the long-term safety for patients. The EMEA have recommended that the marketing authorisation should be withdrawn across Europe. Patients currently using Raptiva should make an appointment with their Dermatologist to discuss an alternative treatment, but should not stop Rapitva abruptly.
Patients who have taken Raptiva in the past and have any questions or concerns should make an appointment with their GP or Dermatologist.
For further information, please visit http://www.emea.europa.eu/humandocs/PDFs/EPAR/raptiva/RaptivaQ&A_1552509en.pdf

Listen to our podcasts! www.psoriasis-association.org.uk/podcasts.html

Psoriasis Uncovered Online Survey
Adults with psoriasis in the UK are invited to complete this anonymous questionnaire to help better understand just how psoriasis affects people’s lives in the UK.
A similar survey is being conducted across Europe to compare the experiences of people with psoriasis in various countries. The results will be launched in the UK by the end of 2009 to GPs, dermatologists and the wider public. To take part in this survey, which will take about 20 minutes of your time, please visit the Psoriasis Unocvered website - www.psoriasisuncovered.co.uk

University of Brighton - online questionnaire
Researchers at the University of Brighton are interested in the use of Complementary Therapies in psoriasis. Please take five minutes to complete the following survey regardless of whether you have used Complementary Therapies or not. The study aims to investigate if people with psoriasis in the U.K. have tried any complementary or alternative medicine (CAM), what they have used and if they have found it effective. Participants will remain anonymous and all information will be treated as confidential. http://www.surveygalaxy.com/surPublishes.asp?k=F09TPP23J0YJ

British 10K London Run
The Psoriasis Association has secured some places for the British 10K London Run on Sunday 12th July 2009. The race starts at Hyde Park Corner and takes in sites such as Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, Tower Bridge and Big Ben, before finishing in Whitehall. To book your place, please contact the office

Visit our Facebook Page and Facebook Group!

The Psoriasis Association is now a Charity Registered in Scotland - our Scottish Charity Number is SC039886.

PsoKids CD-ROM
Lots of things can go wrong with the skin that we can't help happening and psoriasis is just one of them. An important thing is to remember that you're not alone. There are lots of people all over the world who have psoriasis and deal with it every single day! PsoKids is an interactive, fun packed CD-ROM designed mainly for children (although there is a bit on their for parents/carers too!). To order your free copy, please contact us

Treatment / Company / Product Information

Xamiol Gel
Leo Pharma has recently launched a new product to treat scalp psoriasis – Xamiol (pronounced zamiol) gel. It contains the same active ingredients as Dovobet (calcipotriol – the vitamin D component and betamethasone – the steroid component).
To use Xamiol, part your hair into sections, and then apply the gel with your fingers to the areas of psoriasis on your scalp. Rub the gel in with your fingertips. For best results Leo Pharma recommend you leave the gel on overnight, and then wash it out the next morning. In order to wash Xamiol gel out of the hair, apply a mild shampoo to dry hair, especially to the areas that the gel was applied, leave the shampoo on for a couple of minutes and then wash your hair as usual. You may need to wash your hair twice.
Xamiol gel is available on prescription only.

NICE issue Guidelines regarding the use of Adalimumab (Humira) for severe psoriasis
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have issued their guidelines regarding the use of Adalimumab to treat psoriasis. NICE have recommended Adalimumab be prescribed when "the condition is severe" - defined by a PASI score greater than 10 and a DLQI score greater than 10, and "their condition has not improved with other treatments such as ciclosporin, methotrexate and PUVA (psoralen and long-wave ultraviolet radiation), or they have had side effects with these in the past or there is a medical reason why they should not be given these treatments."
To read the guidelines, please follow the link to the NICE website. For further information on Adalimumab, please click here

NICE issue Guidelines regarding the use of Infliximab (Remicade) for severe psoriasis
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have issued their guidelines regarding the use of Infliximab to treat psoriasis. NICE have recommended Infliximab be prescribed when "the disease is very severe as defined by a total Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) of 20 or more and a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) of more than 18" and "the psoriasis has failed to respond to standard systemic therapies such as ciclosporin, methotrexate or PUVA, or the person is intolerant to or has a contraindication to these treatments". To read the guidelines, please follow the link to the NICE website. For further information on Infliximab, please click here

Adalimumab (Humira) receives its license for use to treat moderate to severe psoriasis
Adalimumab is the first fully human anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. “The licensing of adalimumab offers a valuable new treatment option for people living with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, a very difficult and often isolating condition,” said Gladys Edwards from the Psoriasis Association. ”We welcome the approval of new therapies such as adalimumab that can significantly improve the quality of life of patients and expand the options available to those who are most in need of treatment.”
Adalimumab is a subcutaneous injection, meaning it can be self-administered at home after suitable training. For further information regarding Adalimumab please click here

MHRA find steroids in an Aloe Vera cream marketed to treat eczema and psoriasis
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has found steroids in an intensive body lotion with Aloe Vera called OSAS, which claimed to contain natural ingredients. The lotion which is an unlicensed product illegally claimed to treat eczema and psoriasis and has been found to be sold in a variety of Asian and African beauty shops in London and the West Midlands and over the Internet.
OSAS was found to contain betamethasone (a potent corticosteroid) and clotrimazole (an anti-fungal treatment).
For further information, please visit the MHRA website

Etrivex Shampoo
Galderma (UK) has recently launched a new product for the treatment of moderate scalp psoriasis in adults. Etrivex is a short contact corticosteroid shampoo that is only available on prescription. It is stocked by all wholesalers and most pharmacies. It is important to follow the instructions carefully as the method of application is different to that of conventional treatments - approximately half a tablespoon (7.5ml) should be applied directly to your dry scalp and massaged into the lesions. Etrivex should be left in place for 15 minutes. Then, add water and lather, avoiding contact with the eyes and other delicate areas - rinse thoroughly, condition and style as normal.

Availability of Exorex Lotion
We have been assured by Forest Laboratories that they are now building up their supplies of Exorex Lotion in time for a relaunch. Once they have built up their supplies sufficiently so that demand does not out-strip supplies Exorex will be relaunched. Further information is expected towards the end of November 2008.

Availability of Psorin Ointment and Scalp Gel
LPC Pharmaceuticals have informed the Psoriasis Association that Psorin Ointment and Psorin Scalp Gel are currently out of stock. It is expected that Psorin scalp gel will be available in early 2009. No date has been indicated as to when Psorin Ointment may be available.

Availability of Calcipotriol Ointment
As described below, Leo Pharma has discontinued the supply of Dovonex ointment. However, we are pleased to announce that Sandoz Ltd have been granted their UK Marketing Authorisation for generic Calcipotriol Ointment 50 micrograms/g in a 120g tube (the same composition as Dovonex Ointment). In order for you to receive the correct dispense from your pharmacist, your doctor must write your prescription for "Calcipotriol Ointment" - the pharmacist will not be able to dispense this from a prescription for "Dovonex Ointment"
If you currently have Dovonex ointment on your repeat prescription, this will need to be re-written or amended in order for you to continue to receive the medication without disruption.

Discontinuation of Dovonex Ointment
LEO pharma UK have informed us that they are discontinuing the supply of the ointment formulation of Dovonex on 16th April 2007. In view of current and future availability of alternative products for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis, the clinical usefulness and commercial viability of this product is judged to be too limited to justify its continued supply by LEO Pharma. Alternative formulations such as Dovonex Cream and Scalp Solution will continue to be available. The discontinuation has not resulted from any safety or quality concerns.

Patient Information Leaflets (PIL's)
Do you discard the packaging your medications come in only to find a couple of weeks later that you could do with knowing a little more about your treatment? Well help is at hand! ALL PIL's can now be accessed online at http://emc.medicines.org.uk/



Psoriasis Support Group

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