In France, no treatment was previously available to treat vitiligo. A decree dated January 26, 2024, published in the 'Journal Officiel de la République Française' on January 31, authorizes the sale and full reimbursement of a first treatment.
This new treatment obtained marketing authorization on April 19, 2023, valid throughout the European Union. In France, it is put into circulation as part of the direct access system set up by the 2022 Social Security financing law. The delivery of the medicine is now possible since the publication of the favorable opinion of the High Authority health. A decree of January 26, 2024 authorizes the marketing of a cream for patients suffering from vitiligo, an autoimmune disease which manifests itself by depigmentation of certain
areas of the skin, due to the disappearance of certain cells called melanocytes. This new treatment, also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (USA), is 100% covered for adults and adolescents over 12 years old. The treatment, a cream to be applied to the skin, can only be delivered in hospital pharmacies, in certain establishments, and is only available on prescription. This authorization was issued to Opzelura cream developed by the American laboratory Incyte Biosciences which already has several therapies against cancer. The first product marketed in dermatology for the biotech in question, Opzelura (ruxolitinib) aims to repigment affected areas in patients aged over 12 suffering from non-segmental vitiligo with facial involvement, which represents the most common form. of this disease, provided that the vitiligo does not cover more than 10% of their total body surface and also affects the face. Great progress against the disease which affects 0,5 to 2% of the world population, including 600.000 to 1 million people in France. _VX
The VEISS association is delighted with the arrival of this new treatment
Created by Gerline Isaac and chaired by Jacqueline Vrolijk, the “Vitiligo Educate Inspire and Support SXM” (VEISS) association is a very active local association which aims to raise awareness, educate and support people living with vitiligo and their families on the island and surroundings.
[The marketing of a first treatment against vitiligo] is beyond a feeling of happiness for myself, the VEISS association and the support groups in France, because we hope that this treatment will bring a feeling of relief from the many sufferings experienced by people with vitiligo during their journey with this very intrusive autoimmune disease” Gerline Isaac told us. At the end of 2023, the local association organized a weekend focused on health and well-being.
The conference “Vitiligo is not just a walk in the park” on the mental effects of the disease at the Grand Case Beach Club was particularly memorable with touching talks. If the objective of VEISS was to allow people with vitiligo to gain confidence while raising awareness among those who do not have it, the bet was highly successful. After the introduction of Dr. Ramonda Hanze who invited participants to practice breathing exercises and positive thoughts, Stephen Taylor recounted his journey since his diagnosis more than 40 years ago. For this African American whose skin is 99% depigmented, vitiligo does not define a person's identity. Affiliated with several support groups including VIPOC.org, he became involved as a patient activist in order to help other patients live a productive life despite the illness and its mental effects. Daniel Kalakech, of whom we have already spoken in Faxinfo as part of his sporting feat of climbing to the summit of Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, the first spots appeared on his hands when he was 14 years old: “At the time, I gave it too much importance.” After meeting Gerline Isaac 6 years ago in Saint-Martin, Daniel decided to use his love of sport to prevent vitiligo by deciding with his adventurer friend James to climb the two famous mountains: “You can do what you want if you have the will, don’t stop at what people say, you have to be proud and inspire people.” The donations collected during his challenge were donated in part to a research center on vitiligo in Bordeaux and to the VEISS association. It is not always easy to find products adapted to your skin and this can prove even more more complex for people with vitiligo. The presentation of products from the SXM Nectar range made it possible to offer the public natural solutions based on each person's skin, with local manufacturing. After the inspiring testimony of Akenna Kublal, a former flight attendant suffering from vitiligo following the trauma of a plane accident, Doctor Tasheena Thomas developed the section on the effects of the disease on mental health. Depression, anxiety, loneliness, the correlation between vitiligo and mental illnesses are proven: “Vitiligo changes you and your perception of yourself, it is part of you but does not define your value” concluding that the validation of positive thoughts is an implacable weapon against disease.
The conference ended with a motivational speech from Tonja Johnson and thanks from Gerline Isaac with always the same slogans: We do not see color, we see love. _VX
Info: 06 90 77 07 46 - +1721 526 9241 – veissxm@gmail.com
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