Petition calls for improved standards of care for European psoriasis patients

Online petition results signed by almost 20,000 people calling for improved standards of care for people living with psoriasis were presented at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The event, organized by the Federation of European Psoriasis Associations, showcased a “Psoriasis Mandate” that includes “five key rights of people with psoriasis” applied inconsistently throughout Europe, according to a press release from the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA). The petition was launched in 2012.

The key points include:

early and accurate diagnosis
access to a specialist for regular therapy
access to effective treatment options
patients’ involvement and choice of treatment plan, including defined goals
societal understanding and support “to lead a normal life”

Patient association representatives, health care professionals, and industry and policymakers discussed ways to tackle chronic disease burden in Europe, with an emphasis on psoriasis, the release said, where an estimated 14 million people have psoriasis. European Union and international policies, including a resolution on psoriasis adopted by WHO executive board in May, were highlighted.

“This resolution sends a powerful, global message that psoriasis is a serious, noncommunicable disease that needs more public awareness,” Kathleen Gallant, IFPA executive committee secretary, said in the release.