California Raptiva Attorneys

Raptiva is psoriasis medication, a drug known as efalizumab.

Psoriasis occurs when new skin cells grow abnormally, resulting in thick, red, and scaly, inflamed patches. Plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the disease, affects approximately 2.3 million Americans and is characterized by inflamed patches of skin ("lesions") topped with silvery white scales. Psoriasis can be limited to a few spots or involve extensive areas of the body, appearing most commonly on the scalp, knees, elbows and trunk. Although it is highly visible, psoriasis is not a contagious disease.

Raptiva works by suppressing the immune system to reduce psoriasis flare-ups. The treatment is a once-weekly injection used for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in candidates for whole-body therapy or phototherapy.

Adverse reactions observed during treatment with RAPTIVA are serious infections, including PML, malignancies, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, arthritis events, psoriasis worsening and variants, and neurologic events

The danger lies in how Raptiva works. It works by suppressing the immune system.

According to tne latest warning label, RAPTIVA increases the risk for PML, a rapidly progressive viral infection of the central nervous system that has no known treatment and that leads to death or severe disability. The risk of PML may markedly increase with longer duration of RAPTIVA exposure. The time dependent threshold when the risk for PML increases is unknown

About PML
PML is a rare, progressive, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that leads to death or severe disability. PML is caused by activation of the John Cunningham, (JC) virus. The JC virus resides in latent form in up to 80 percent of healthy adults, typically only causing PML in immunocompromised patients. The factors leading to activation of the latent infection are not fully understood, though abnormalities in T-cells may be important for reactivation and PML. PML has been reported in the published literature in HIV-positive patients, as well as immunosuppressed cancer patients (including patients with hematologic malignancies), organ transplant recipients, and patients with autoimmune diseases. There are no known interventions that can reliably prevent or adequately treat PML.

RISK OF SERIOUS INFECTIONS
Infections, including serious infections leading to hospitalizations or death, have been observed in patients treated with RAPTIVA (see WARNINGS and ADVERSE REACTIONS). These infections have included bacterial sepsis, viral meningitis, invasive fungal disease and other opportunistic infections. Patients should be educated about the symptoms of infection and be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with RAPTIVA. If a patient develops a serious infection, RAPTIVA should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

VOLUNTARY U.S. MARKET WITHDRAWAL OF RAPTIVA ® (efalizumab) The FDA Press Release says "Today, Genentech, the manufacturer of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab), announced that it has begun a voluntary, phased withdrawal of the product from the U.S. market. The company is taking this action because of a potential risk to patients of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare, serious, progressive neurologic disease caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system. By June 8, 2009, Raptiva will no longer be available in the United States.

Prescribers are being asked not to initiate Raptiva treatment for any new patients. Prescribers should immediately begin discussing with patients currently using Raptiva on how to transition to alternative therapies. The FDA strongly recommends that patients work with their health care professional to transition to other alternative therapies for psoriasis."

Raptiva® References

• Efalizumab (marketed as Raptiva) Information
• Raptiva Warning LabelU.S. BL 125075/130 Amendment: Efalizumab—Genentech, Inc. 36 of 36/Regional (PAS) (Safety Update): BLA 125075_SLR130_Final Labeling.03-13-09.doc
• Genentech Announces Voluntary Withdrawal of Raptiva from the U.S. Market^ Genentech, Inc. (2009-04-08). Press release.
• Raptiva is withdrawn from the U.S. market (2009-04-08)
• Psoriasis Foundation

If you have experienced problems while taking Raptiva® ; or were otherwise injured by taking Raptiva®;, you are entitled to compensation. If you or a family member have taken Raptiva® and developed problems, you should seek a free consultation regarding your legal rights. Our Raptiva® lawyers have the experience and resources necessary to obtain compensation from pharmaceutical companies.

If you have experienced complications with using Raptiva, you can act now. We can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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