Drug decision brings hope of relief to eczema sufferers

Published on Monday 9 March 2009 21:13

A DRUG to treat patients with severe eczema on their hands was approved for use in Scotland yesterday.

An estimated 12,000 people in Scotland suffer from chronic eczema on their hands.

Yesterday, the Scottish Medicines Consortium approved the use of Toctino (alitretinoin), a one-a-day capsule, for use in patients whose condition fails to improve with powerful steroid creams.

The drug is the first to be developed specifically for chronic hand eczema.

Dr Roger Aldridge, a consultant dermatologist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, said: "Chronic hand eczema can be severely disabling for patients and difficult to treat.

"In some cases even the most powerful available systemic treatments – medications that affect the entire body – will not control the disease, with the result that patients have to tolerate intense itching, blistering, painful fissures and unsightly and uncomfortable weeping patches, which can make work and everyday activities almost impossible."

Dr Aldridge welcomed the decision to approve Toctino, as did the National Eczema Society.

"People who have chronic hand eczema are severely disadvantaged since they are unable to use their hands normally," said Margaret Cox, the chief executive of the society.