The FDA has announced a voluntary recall of the drug Raptiva (efalizumab), manufactured by Genetech. The total recall should be completed by June, 2009.
Raptiva is an injectible drug taken once a week by patients who experience “moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.” It is being recalled due to the possibility 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.
Patients currently on a regimen of Raptiva are asked to consult with their physician to move to a different prescription. Of course, physicians are being asked to not start treatment with Raptiva on any new patients.