California based drug maker Genentech announced this week the withdrawal of the drug Raptiva from the US market. Raptiva, also known as efalizumab, is used in the treatment of the skin condition psoriasis. The move comes after the FDA noted the deathes of three people from a rare brain disease called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy while taking Raptiva. Genentech estimates about 2,000 patients in the US may currently be using Raptiva. Those who are actively using the medication should stop using it and speak to their physicians about alternative treatment. Raptiva will no longer be available after June 8, 2009.
Posts Tagged ‘Raptiva’
April 9, 2009


Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.