Leo Pharma psoriasis treatment ‘better than some new biological drugs’

A combination ointment of calcipitrol and betamethasone, commonly prescribed for the treatment of severe psoriasis, could be better at treating the disease than some of the newest biological treatments recently approved by NICE.

New clinical data published in the International Journal of Dermatology shows that the ointment, marketed in the UK by Leo Pharma as Dovobet, improved severe psoriasis symptoms by 50 per cent or more in 88.8 per cent of cases.

In contrast, analysis of other studies has demonstrated that biological monoclonal antibody drugs like alefacept, efalizumab and etanercept improved severe psoriasis symptoms by 50 per cent or more in 56, 59 and 74 per cent of patients respectively.

Peter Lapsley, chief executive of the UK’s Skin Care Campaign, said recent NICE approval for new psoriasis treatments only highlights the need to have choice.

He stated: “Because people’s skins are different and respond differently to different treatments, it is essential that the widest range of treatments for skin diseases such as psoriasis should be available on prescription at appropriate levels within the NHS.”

Psoriasis affects approximately two per cent of the UK population and is most likely to occur between the ages of 11 and 45, according to the Psoriasis Association.

The disease is characterised by a rapid turnover of skin cells in affected areas, causing live cells to accumulate on the surface of the skin, inducing redness and itchiness. Normal cell turnover rate is 21 to 28 days – the length of time it takes for live cells to reach the surface as dead skin cells.

In areas afflicted by psoriasis, this process takes two to three days.

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