2.8% of UAE population has Psoriasis disease

LEO Pharma, Danish pharma major and one of the global leaders in dermatology preparations, is rolling out a first-of-its-kind support programme for Psoriasis patients in the UAE and the Gulf region starting from April 2012.

LEO Pharma, with long experience across decades in dermatological preparations and makers of a new once-daily gel formulation for the treatment of scalp Psoriasis, said in a statement that MOMENT will be run across the UAE and the Gulf in partnership with psychologists and dermatologists.

“There are a sizeable number of Psoriasis patients across the UAE and the Gulf region and MOMENT will address them on an emotional scale, a very imperative need considering the psychological impact of this skin disease on a person,” said Hisham Omar, General Manager, Gulf Region, Iran, Yemen & Turkey, LEO Pharma.

“We believe that MOMENT is perhaps a first-of-its-kind support programme for Psoriasis patients in the Gulf since such endeavours are largely unknown and are far and few in the region, he said, adding that the support programme had been running in other countries in the world and some parts of the Mena successfully.

“Psoriasis being a life-long disease, national support groups play a very important role in engaging the patients on a psychological plane helping them manage their life on a day-to-day basis,” said Dr. Hussain Abdel Dayem, Consultant Dermatologist at Al Noor Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

He said currently there are no national support groups for Psoriasis patients in the UAE or the Gulf region.

“It is estimated that some 2.8 per cent of the UAE’s population has Psoriasis affliction and support groups are a dire necessity. “Psoriasis affects all ages and mostly among middle aged people, but we have even seen it among kids,” Dr. Dayem said.

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that affects 1-3% of the general population across the globe.

It is estimated that 50-80% of people suffering from psoriasis have scalp involvement.

Leo Pharma said that physicians will now have a new treatment option for scalp psoriasis with the launch of the once-daily gel formulation containing the proven combination.

According to Nicholas Polymenachos, Regional Marketing Manager, LEO Pharma, published clinical data, demonstrate that this novel once-daily gel is effective with a very rapid onset of action; approximately 6 out of 10 patients are clear or almost clear of the symptoms of the disease ('absent' or 'very mild' disease) after just two weeks treatment with the new gel.

Compliance with once-daily psoriasis treatments is almost double than that seen with twice daily therapies, according to a study performed involving psoriatic patients, he added.

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