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.