PSORIASIS

PSORIASIS

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(Subsidy for treatment and public awareness): **

32.

Ms Indranee Rajah asked the Minister for Health (a) whether his Ministry will subsidise the cost of biologics treatment for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients or, alternatively, allow such patients to pay for their treatment out of their CPF; and (b) whether the Health Promotion Board will take steps to increase public awareness of this illness.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: There are about 40,000 psoriasis patients in Singapore. Out of this number, about 80 patients or 0.2%, may benefit from biologics treatment. For the vast majority of patients, external treatment of the affected area will be sufficient.

Biologics treatment is expensive. Moreover, it is not a cure. The use of biologics for treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is still new; their efficacy and effectiveness will take time to be established. As Medisave is largely meant for inpatient use during old age, we should not rush to extend the use of Medisave for such unestablished treatments.

We certainly should help to raise public awareness of psoriasis. The Health Promotion Board carries public information on psoriasis on its website. The National Skin Centre offers much more detailed information through print and electronic media. Together with the Psoriasis Association of Singapore (PAS), the National Skin Centre conducts regular public forums on this illness. In addition, PAS runs a patient support group which serves as a useful platform for discussion and sharing of issues related to psoriasis.