EpiPharm psoriasis treatment recommended for PBS reimbursement

Exorex, a non-steroidal treatment for psoriasis exclusively marketed in Australia by Epitan's (ASX:EPT) wholly-owned subsidiary EpiPharm, has been recommended by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) reimbursement.

"From December 1, Exorex will be listed on the PBS schedule. It means that when a physician writes you out a prescription for Exorex you only pay the minimum amount required and the government picks up the rest. We expect a significant increase in sales," said Epitan's CEO and managing director Iain Kirkwood.

Exorex is the first ready prepared coal tar treatment to be recommended for PBS reimbursement, the company said. "Coal tars are messy, and pharmacists traditionally don't like to mix things up in the back. They're looking for ready prepared, over the counter products," said Kirkwood.

Epitan has also acquired the Australian sales and marketing rights for Zorac (tazarotene) cream and gel from Allergan. Zorac is a topical retinoid used for the topical treatment of acne and psoriasis. Available in the USA and Europe, it is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia.

"We've got the marketing and distribution rights to Australia and New Zealand. As soon as we get product, which will be towards the end of the year, it will just be another drug added to our sales reps bag," said Kirkwood.

Epitan recently announced that it had changed the name of its tanning drug Melanotan to EPT1647 and will be focusing its clinical trial strategy for the drug on polymorphous light eruption (PMLE). This strategy aims to provide a clear regulatory pathway for EPT1647 so the drug can be brought to market initially for specialist use for a defined patient population.

"We have been looking at PMLE for some time now -- it's a finessing of our regulatory strategy as much as anything else. We haven't abandoned sunburn by any shape or means," said Kirkwood.

PMLE is a skin disorder characterised by recurrent, abnormal delayed reactions to sunlight with common symptoms being an itchy, non-scarring rash consisting of obvious red patches and bumps on light exposed skin that lasts for several days or longer.