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Mark & Associates, P.C. Announces the Launch of Website Offering Free Consultations for Raptiva Patients


WEBWIRE

February 25, 2009 – Uniondale, New York -- Mark & Associates, P.C., a leading nationwide personal injury law firm, announces the launch of a new website, www.RaptivaPML.com. The site is designed to help psoriasis patients who have been prescribed Raptiva, which has been linked to a deadly brain disease known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or PML. Current and former Raptiva patients can request a free legal evaluation by visiting this site, or by calling 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448).

Raptiva, which is also known as efalizumab, is an immunosuppressant drug used to treat and prevent psoriasis, a chronic, non-contagious autoimmune disease which causes excess skin production and joint pain. The FDA has recently warned that the Genentech drug, which was approved in October 2003 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis in adults, may be linked to several cases of PML.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by the reactivation of a common virus in the central nervous system of immune-compromised individuals. Polyomavirus JC (often called JC virus) is carried by a majority of people and is harmless except among those with compromised immune systems. The rare disease occurs, rarely, in organ transplant patients; people undergoing chronic corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy; and individuals with cancer, such as Hodgkin’s disease, lymphoma, and sarcoidosis.

This recent FDA warning comes just several months after the agency ordered Genentech to include a Black Box Warning on the packaging to alert physicians and users of the increased risks of PML, meningitis, and other life-threatening infections. The FDA also required Genentech to develop a medication guide and other literature for the packaging.

Regulators in Europe have already indicated that they are leaning toward removing the drug from the market. The European Medicines Agency or EMEA has said that sales of the drug should be suspended because of the link to cases of PML, saying that the benefits of Raptiva no longer outweigh the risks and safety concerns.The agency recommended that Raptiva no longer be prescribed, but no formal action to ban Raptiva in Europe has followed that recent recommendation.

For more information on Raptiva and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy please visit www.RaptivaPML.com or http://www.youhaverights.com/dangerous-drugs/raptiva.

About Mark & Associates, P.C.
Mark & Associates, P.C. is a leading personal injury and products liability law firm with offices in Boston, Massachusetts and Long Island, New York. The firm aggressively represents victims of defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices, dangerous consumer products, bad faith insurance denials, toxic exposure, and serious auto and common carrier accidents. For more information on Mark & Associates, P.C., visit http://www.youhaverights.com.



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 Raptiva
 Psoriasis
 brain infection
 Raptiva Side Effects
 Raptiva Lawsuit


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