Raptiva recalled due to increased risks of PML, Brain Infections & Meningitis

[April 8, 2009] Today, Genentech officially recalled the troubled psoriasis drug Raptiva. 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. A complete Raptiva recall will be completed by June 8, 2009 when Raptiva is no longer be available in the United States.

• Dear Raptiva Patient Letter - April 8, 2009
• Dear Raptiva Physician / Dear Doctor Letter - April 8, 2009

Raptiva Doctors & Prescribers are being asked not to initiate Raptiva treatment for any new Raptiva 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 Recall - PML Risks Increased

The risk that an individual patient taking Raptiva will develop PML is rare and is generally associated with long-term use. Generally, PML occurs in people whose immune systems have been severely weakened and often leads to an irreversible decline in neurologic function and death. There is no known effective treatment for PML. On Oct. 16, 2008 a FDA Raptiva Warning was issued. The FDA updated the FDA-approved labeling for Raptiva to warn of the risk of life-threatening infections, including PML. On Feb. 19, 2009, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory (Raptiva FDA Warning) informing patients and prescribers of the risk of PML in patients taking Raptiva, after receiving reports of four patients with PML, three of whom died. On March 13, 2009, the FDA approved a Medication Guide for Raptiva and included additional information in Raptiva's labeling regarding PML.

FDA NEWS ALERT -> TYSABRI® Linked to PML (Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy)

Raptiva was approved by the FDA in 2003. It is a once-weekly injection for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.Prescribers should continue to monitor patients on Raptiva for neurologic symptoms that might represent PML.

SOURCE: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

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