The use of biologics in a typical DGH clinical practice

Psoriasis is a serious medical condition with a significant morbidity. Twenty to thirty per cent of all patients have severe disease and 2–5% have associated joint disease. Standard systemic therapies are associated with a wide range of toxic reactions. Biologic agents for psoriasis target the cytokine TNF-a (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab) or the T-cell/antigen-presenting cell interaction (efalizumab). Over the last five years, these ‘designer drugs’ have emerged as rapidly effective and well-tolerated treatment options. Dermatology prescribing of these drugs in the UK has been extremely slow.