Experts, patient group, Novartis raise awareness on psoriasis
In observance of World Psoriasis Day last Oct. 29, Novartis Healthcare Philippines (NHP) in partnership with the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS), Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA) and Psoriasis Philippines (PsorPhil) held a series of activities to raise public awareness on psoriasis and enhance its diagnosis and management.
Psoriasis causes cells to build up rapidly on the surface of the skin, forming thick, silvery scales and itchy, dry, red patches (plaques) that are sometimes painful.
Worldwide, more than 125 million people are affected by psoriasis, with over a third suffering from the moderate to severe form of the skin condition.
PsorPhil estimates that between one and two million Filipinos have psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a common and distressing skin condition that greatly impacts patients’ quality of life. It is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.
“We are pleased to continue our advocacy to increase awareness on psoriasis and help eliminate the social stigma attached to it,” PDS president Ma. Angela MedinaLavadia said.
“Up to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis have — or will — develop psoriatic arthritis in which the joints are also affected, causing debilitating symptoms including pain, stiffness and irreversible joint damage,” PRA president Bernadette Heizel Manapat-Reyes explained.
She added that PRA welcomes Novartis’ support in providing continuing medical education to local rheumatologists in the management of psoriatic arthritis and other chronic diseases of the joints.
PsorPhil president Josef de Guzman asserted his organization’s commitment to work with its partner-stakeholders in promoting awareness on psoriasis and celebrating the life, productivity and beauty of individuals with psoriasis.
“Many Filipinos with psoriasis are denied school and work opportunities while others feel discouraged to pursue their aspirations or hone their talents and skills,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NHP has launched the “Ask Your Derm” website which aims to empower patients and their caregivers in dealing with psoriasis.
“We are leveraging digital platforms to raise public awareness on psoriasis and enhance its diagnosis and management… Through these digital platforms, we are also striving to provide high quality medical education to our local physicians as evidenced by our VivindaTV initiative that will provide local rheumatologists access to the American College of Rheumatology Annual Congress,” NHP chief scientific officer Francis Domingo said.
“This year, we are sustaining our advocacy by celebrating World Psoriasis Day 2017 themed ‘Psoriasis Inside Out,’ which aims to show all aspects of the disease, give a face to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and share stories,” NHP president and managing director Cheryl Maley said.
To showcase the confidence and freedom from psoriasis of PsorPhil members, the coalition held the “Ask Your Derm Fashion Show” last Oct. 26 at the Ace Hotel and Suites in Pasig City. Dermatologists from the PDS and rheumatologists from the PRA joined individuals with psoriasis in walking the runway and strutting their avant-garde wardrobe.