New website launched to help people with psoriasis
pharmafile | March 9, 2012 | News story | Medical Communications | 360. PM soc, Twitter, psoriasis
A new online resource for patients with psoriasis has been set up to help them understand and manage their disease.
The re-designed Psoriasis Association website offers a secure online forum, dubbed ‘Connect’, which brings together people affected by the condition.
Connect is password-protected, requiring login details to join the discussion, and allows users to participate in different conversations, or to start new threads on any topic.
Another new element of the website is the live Twitter feed on the homepage, displaying real-time discussions on relevant topics.
It also provides information on a wide range of topics of interest – from the condition and treatment options, to the latest research and news.
A spokeswoman from the Psoriasis Association told Pharmafocus that the site has been updated as the older version had good information, but was starting to look dated.
She said the new site was designed to be easier to navigate and was particularly excited about the new Connect forum.
It has also been updated in line with the Association’s rebranding from last year.
The Association is a registered charity, but has close links with Leo Pharma, Abbott and Janssen, who all market a number of drugs for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
The spokeswoman said that the charity still remains independent, however, despite its links with pharma.
Professor Chris Griffiths, professor of dermatology at the University of Manchester, said: “Support for patients with psoriasis is crucial, as the condition can have a debilitating effect on daily life – on a personal, social and professional level.
“People with this chronic and currently incurable condition can often face stigmatisation and feelings of depression, concern and frustration.
“The new Psoriasis Association website provides an excellent means of filling an information and support gap – its ultimate aim is to help patients cope with the daily challenges, both physical and psychological, of living with psoriasis.”
Psoriasis awareness has a strong digital presence – in 2010, Janssen launched its Psoriasis 360 disease awareness campaign that encompasses a Facebook page, Twitter account, iPhone, iPad apps and a YouTube channel, which all centre around its main website.
In fact Psoriasis 360 was so successful that Janssen picked up two awards for it from the PM Society’s Digital Media awards last year.
The Psoriasis Association is active on Twitter @PsoriasisUK and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/PsoriasisUK.
Ben Adams is the reporter for Pharmafocus and InPharm.com and manages the DigiBlog site. He can be contacted via: email or Twitter.
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