At once a beautiful skin

ointments, tinctures, and baths, tar-containing lotions and zinc shampoos: Since Patrik crack may recall, was marked his life of remedies and cures. Already as a Baby the today 34-Year-old on the skin disease Psoriasis, also psoriasis called suffered. To relieve the itching of the scaly, reddened areas of some, he has spent a day a lot of time to maintain his skin. But all of this has been of only very limited: "If one is awake, bites it permanently," says the man from Uster. "There is a lot of body control doesn't need to scratch." If you are doing it still, bleeds it quickly. And this, in turn, the inflammation increases risk.

"believe

But now the employees of the electricity company of Zurich's sitting there relaxed, his short-sleeved T-Shirt allows a view of the poor." At the elbows, which were drawn recently from the disease are hardly discernible traces. Since last spring, crack gets a new, highly potent drug that has brought the complaints, after a short time almost entirely Disappear. And without side effects. "It is almost beyond belief," says crack radiant and shows on his Smartphone pictures from the past: red spots everywhere. Phases were also affected by the finger nails as well as the knees, the torso and the head skin. And if it was really bad, started even the joints to pain. How about one out of every five Psoriasis-Affected Patrik tear suffered sporadically under Arthritis.

"I was always worried that I could leave the shed, and controlled my appearance constantly in the mirror", says crack in retrospect. Also for his relationship to his long-time girlfriend, the disease was sometimes stressful, especially when the genital area was affected. As a young adult, he had a phase quite tired of the tedious affair. "I just had no desire to take care of me constantly." Nevertheless, he had led a pretty normal life. From summer dresses or going to the swimming pool, he didn't stop. If he was staring into the school from other children, he explained to them that his rashes are contagious.

CHF 2000 per syringe

Still, the intact skin is unusual for Patrik crack. At the beginning of last year, he had learned of the new medication by his sister, who is affected, how the father also of Psoriasis. When he saw how well they responded, he brought up the topic with his dermatologist. But the thing is not designed. The last three years, receives funding – a antibodies that must be injected – is in fact very expensive. And, although it is offered by different manufacturers. A usual dose of the Novartis drug Cosentyx, for example, costs around 1500 Swiss francs and is just sufficient for a month. The treatment comes in the first year to about 26,000 francs, in later years, even on the 18500 francs. And the health insurance companies pay only if at least one other drug therapy or treatment with ultra-violet light failed.

Other medicines, which come in Psoriasis usually used, but can have strong side effects. Often cortisone is administered; this can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, moon face and muscle weakness. Other drugs often cause Nausea, abdominal pain and other discomfort and harm in the long term, liver and kidney. The use of further means, which suppress the immune system and thereby also the resistance to other diseases, reduce. The effectiveness of all of these conventional means is also moved by.

Only for selected cases

in order for patients of the new, better-tolerated drugs may benefit, Physicians must make the health insurance companies apply for funding, and the symptoms in a detailed report. They take the internationally valid Pasi-Score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index), the percentage of affected skin area as well as the color, thickness and scale formation lens can be evaluated. In addition, the subjective suffering is considered to be pressure by means of a questionnaire. Criteria itching, pain, limitations, and General. From a certain severity level, patients are entitled to treatment.

long-term experiences are missing

"The high price is a very big Benefit," says Ingo Haase, a dermatologist in practice in the Glattpark in Zurich-Opfikon. The quality of life of people with moderate to severe Psoriasis, was significantly restricted. Partnership problems and depression are typical side effects. It comes in addition to psoriatic Arthritis, the joints damage. And the constant inflammation of the skin increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks.

It was not, however, so that all Affected prescribing of new drugs called, white rabbit. "Many are sceptical because the experiences are still no long time." Also, some medical colleagues are still reluctant to Prescribe. Haase himself, but his patients consistently good experiences. It was a new mechanism of action, of engaging in the development of the disease, explains the skin doctor. The active ingredients bind to the messenger substances in the immune system, which play in the formation of Psoriasis is an important role. Treated are somewhat more susceptible to infectious diseases, tolerate the medication but otherwise mostly very good. According to studies, was achieved in almost 80 percent of the Treated a marked improvement. It hopes that after a certain duration of treatment, a complete healing occurs and the medication can be discontinued even exist. "The studies are not yet complete," says Ingo Haase. "But it may well be that the immune system learns during the treatment."

the price is expected to fall to sink

In the case of most drugs, which are initially very expensive, prices later. Often, the Federal office for health (BAG) is negotiating with the manufacturer company and can move to reductions. Whether it is new Psoriasis treatment such conversations, not wanted to share the BAG. At the latest when the patent protection has expired, drugs but cheaper. In the case of Cosentyx this will be, at the earliest, 2030.

Patrik crack, however, is that the new therapy for him is worth it: "My quality of life has improved enormously."

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 13.01.2019, 18:04 PM