FLINT, Mich., May 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. (NYSE: DPLO), is now filling prescriptions for KEVZARA^® (sarilumab), recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

KEVZARA is approved to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

KEVZARA is an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist. It may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other conventional DMARDs. The recommended dosage of KEVZARA is 200 mg once every two weeks, administered as a subcutaneous injection.

To learn more about Diplomat's rheumatology program, visit diplomat.is/areas-of-excellence/rheumatology.

"Sarilumab offers RA patients a new therapeutic choice to assist in the management of their condition," said Paul Urick, Diplomat president. "We are excited to offer a new treatment option for our patients."

RA is a systemic inflammatory disease that manifests itself in multiple joints in the body. Inflammation from RA can affect joint lining and other organs, leading to cartilage and bone erosion and sometimes joint deformity. Pain, swelling, and redness are common joint symptoms.

The Arthritis Foundation reports that nearly 1.5 million people in the United States have RA. The incidence of RA is typically 2–3 times higher in women than in men, and its onset is most common among people between the ages of 30 and 60. Most do not develop symptoms until they reach their 60s.

KEVZARA is codeveloped by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Sanofi. For full prescribing information, click here.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. These statements are qualified by important risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those forecasted or indicated by such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, you should review Diplomat's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including "Risk Factors" in Diplomat's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2016, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be required by any applicable laws, Diplomat assumes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements, which are made as of the date hereof or the earlier date specified herein, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

About Diplomat

Diplomat (NYSE: DPLO) is the nation's largest independent provider of specialty pharmacy services—helping patients and providers in all 50 states. The company offers medication management programs for people with complex chronic diseases and delivers unique solutions for manufacturers, hospitals, payors, providers, and more. Diplomat opened its doors in 1975 as a neighborhood pharmacy with one essential tenet: "Take good care of patients and the rest falls into place." Today, that tradition continues—always focused on improving patient care and clinical adherence. For more information, visit diplomat.is.

CONTACT:
Kali Lucas, Public Relations Specialist
810.768.9580 | press@diplomat.is

Gary Rice, RPh, MS, MBA, CSP
Executive Vice President of Operations
810.768.9863 | grice@diplomat.is

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SOURCE Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.

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