Diplomat Announces COSENTYX Availability

Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.

announced today that it is now filling prescriptions for two new indications for COSENTYX® (secukinumab). The two new indications follow the earlier U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for COSENTYX® in January 2015 to treat adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The FDA has approved indications for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis and active psoriatic arthritis. diplomat_blue_logo Ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis are both lifelong, painful and debilitating inflammatory diseases that affect the joints and/or spine. It is estimated that up to 0.5% of the population have ankylosing spondylitis and up to 1% live with psoriatic arthritis. If not treated effectively, both conditions can lead to irreversible joint and/or spinal bone damage caused by years of inflammation. "COSENTYX® is now the first and only interleukin (IL-17A) antagonist approved for ankylosing spondylitis and moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis," said Gary Kadlec, Diplomat president. "The two new approved indications are a real turning point for those living with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis–offering a new approach to treating two of the most common inflammatory joint conditions." COSENTYX® is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and intended for patients who are eligible for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Please see full prescribing information for COSENTYX® here. To learn more about Diplomat, visit www.diplomat.is.