Psoriasis Drug, Raptiva, Dropped In Canada

Health Canada has withdrawn the psoriasis, Raptiva (efalizumab), from the Canadian market. Raptiva has been available in Canada since 2005. This decision was made earlier this month after it was found that any benefits from using Raptiva as treatment for psoriasis were outweighed by the risk of developing a serious and potentially fatal brain infection.

Doctors have been aware of this since February but the medication wasn’t pulled from the market until June to give doctors a chance to change their patients to alternative medications.

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