The drug Raptiva, used to treat psoriasis, is being taken off the U.S. market by the manufacturer, Genentech, according to a released statement. The drug company has advised doctors not to issue new prescriptions and to contact patients who currently use the treatment to discuss an appropriate alternative. The drug will no longer be available after June 8, 2009. The Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory warning that the drug is linked to a rare brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Three people using the treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis have died. Two of them were confirmed to have the rare and sometimes fatal brain infection.
Related links:
National Psoriasis Foundation
Bloomberg.com
Health Day
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