Up-to-date information and tools for dermatologists, GPs, pharmacists, nurses and hospitals to optimise the safety and health outcomes of biological and other specialised medicines for plaque psoriasis.
For health professionals
Key points
- Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory disease, with most patients presenting mild to moderate disease. Many of these cases can be successfully treated with topical agents.
- Educating patients about what topical therapies are available to them, how they work and how to use them appropriately is crucial to optimise adherence.
- Ensure patients are aware of the range of treatment options – both topical and systemic – that are available to them and that several options may need to be trialled before finding the treatment that works best for them.
- Optimise use of systemic treatments, in combination with topical treatments, to achieve good health outcomes and improve patient quality of life.
- Subcutaneous methotrexate is more effective and better tolerated than oral methotrexate. Consider subcutaneous methotrexate if there is an inadequate response or intolerance of oral methotrexate.
Latest information and evidence
- Biologics, biosimilars and PBS sustainability
- Avoiding the nocebo effect: talking to your patients about biosimilars
- Supporting safe practices for low-dose methotrexate: Position statement on the use of low-dose methotrexate
- Guiding principles for the governance of biologics and their biosimilars in Australian hospitals
- Checklist for governance of biologics and their biosimilars
Educational visiting for specialists
Educational visits will cover a range of clinical updates based on the best available current evidence, developed with and informed by feedback from specialists. The updates are delivered through individualised 30-minute discussions at the preferred timing of the specialist, either online or face-to-face where COVID precautions allow. (Cost: Free)
Panel discussion and podcasts
Panel discussion
- Plaque psoriasis: the evidence to guide practice pathways
Podcasts
Tools to use with your patients
- Factsheet: Treating your plaque psoriasis with creams and ointments
- Decision aid: Plaque psoriasis: My options when topical treatments aren’t enough
- Action plan: Low-dose methotrexate for plaque psoriasis
- Online content: Understanding biosimilars
In focus
Research and education
MedicineWise App
The MedicineWise app is a free health and medicines management app. Features have been developed to support people with plaque psoriasis, including a dose tracker to manage complex dosing or stepping up or stepping down of medicines.
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Helping consumers and health professionals make safe and wise therapeutic decisions about biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and other specialised medicines. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Value in Prescribing bDMARDs Program Grant.
The consortium also works closely with the key dermatology organisations, The Australasian College of Dermatologists and Psoriasis Australia.
