LEO Pharma Inc. Debuts LEO(R) Quality Care Program for Plaque Psoriasis Patients
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan 11, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- LEO Pharma Inc., a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of LEO Pharma A/S, makers of the Taclonex(R) brand of products, today launched the LEO(R) Quality Care program which is designed to provide additional patient education materials and support to patients suffering from plaque psoriasis. Taclonex(R) (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate) Ointment, 0.005%/0.064% and Taclonex Scalp(R) (calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate) Topical Suspension, 0.005%/0.064% are the only once-daily prescription, combination topical treatments for plaque psoriasis and scalp plaque psoriasis, respectively, on the U.S. market.
The launch of the LEO(R) Quality Care program features a starter kit that includes:
-- Free sample of Taclonex(R) Ointment or Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension
-- Copay card for Taclonex(R) products which makes copays for eligible patients as low as $0. For patients with private health insurance, the card may cover the entire insurance copay or up to $300 of the cash price if you are not insured. Each card is valid for up to 6 prescription fills for Taclonex(R) Ointment or Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension. The card is valid until June 30, 2013. -- For specific eligibility requirements and program restrictions, call 1-888-203-1104 or visit taclonex.com/savings.
-- Webkey that provides patient access to educational materials on www.taclonex.com
-- Access to a registered nurse support line to answer questions about treatment
-- Full prescribing information
"We implemented a Quality Care pilot program in 2010, which garnered quite positive feedback from participating patients we surveyed," states John Koconis, president and chief executive officer at LEO Pharma Inc. "We recognized the opportunity to further demonstrate our commitment to patients and make this program a full-time offering, providing materials and information to help patients as they seek treatment for plaque psoriasis."
Healthcare providers seeking to obtain Quality Care kits for their eligible patients can contact their LEO Pharma representative. Patients who are already enrolled in the program will continue to receive updated materials, information and support from LEO Pharma Inc.
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects an estimated 125 million people worldwide. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than seven million adult Americans have been diagnosed with psoriasis of which 80% have plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis generally appears as patches of raised, red skin covered by flaky white buildup of dead skin cells. These patches most often appear on the scalp, knees, elbows and torso, are often itchy and painful, and can crack and bleed.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Taclonex(R) (calcipotriene 0.005% and betamethasone dipropionate 0.064%) Ointment is approved for use on the skin to treat psoriasis vulgaris (plaque psoriasis) in adults 18 years of age and older and should be applied to affected areas once daily for up to 4 weeks. Taclonex Scalp(R) (calcipotriene 0.005% and betamethasone dipropionate 0.064%) Topical Suspension is approved to treat moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris of the scalp in adults 18 years and older and should be applied to affected areas on the scalp once a day for 2 weeks or until cleared. If the affected area is not cleared, Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension may be continued for up to 8 weeks. Do not exceed the recommended weekly dose of 100 grams for either product. Neither product is recommended for use on children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT TACLONEX(R) OINTMENT AND TACLONEX SCALP(R) TOPICAL SUSPENSION
FOR TOPICAL USE ONLY. Do not use Taclonex(R) Ointment or Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension on your face, under your arms, or on your groin. Do not get either product in your eyes, mouth, or vaginal area. Do not swallow Taclonex(R) Ointment or Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension.
You should not use Taclonex(R) Ointment or Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension if you are allergic to any of their ingredients, have thin skin (atrophy) at the treatment site, have known or suspected calcium metabolism disorders (too much or too little calcium in your blood or urine), have erythrodermic, exfoliative, or pustular psoriasis, or have severe kidney or severe liver disease. Avoid excessive exposure to either natural or artificial sunlight if you apply Taclonex(R) Ointment to exposed portions of your body or use Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension. Tell your doctor if you have a skin infection, are getting phototherapy treatments for your psoriasis, are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Also tell your doctor about other medicines you are taking, especially other corticosteroids, products containing calcipotriene, or medicines for your psoriasis.
Taclonex(R) Ointment and Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension may cause serious side effects if you use too much, use it for too long, or use it with other medicines that contain corticosteroids or calcipotriene. Taclonex(R) Ointment and Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension contain the same medicine to treat psoriasis vulgaris. If you use both medicines to treat your psoriasis vulgaris, be sure to follow your doctor's directions carefully so that you do not use too much of one or both of these medicines. Taclonex(R) Ointment and Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension can pass through your skin. Serious side effects may include too much calcium in your blood or urine or adrenal gland problems. Your doctor may do special blood and urine tests to check your calcium levels and adrenal gland function while you are using Taclonex(R) Ointment or Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension.
The most common side effects of Taclonex(R) Ointment are itching and rash. Other less common side effects with Taclonex(R) Ointment include redness of the skin, inflamed hair pores (folliculitis), psoriasis, skin irritation, skin burning, change of skin color (at the site of application), rash with pus-filled papules, thinning of the skin, and swollen fine blood vessels (this makes your skin appear red at the site of application).
The most common side effects of Taclonex Scalp(R) Topical Suspension are inflamed hair pores (folliculitis) and burning sensation of the skin. Other side effects include itching, worsening of psoriasis, redness of the skin, and skin pain or irritation.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the full Prescribing Information for both products at www.taclonex.com
About LEO Pharma Inc.
LEO Pharma Inc. is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, and is the U.S. affiliate of Denmark-based LEO Pharma A/S, a global leader in dermatology with more than 100 years of history as an independent, research-based specialty pharmaceutical company. LEO Pharma A/S, maker of the Taclonex(R) brand of products, is wholly owned by the LEO Foundation.
To learn more about LEO Pharma Inc., visit www.leo-pharma.us .
SOURCE: LEO Pharma Inc.
SRPR
Brenda Patterson
440-623-9581
[email protected]