Diplomat to Dispense Novartis Psoriasis Drug COSENTYX™

FLINT, Mich., March 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. (NYSE: DPLO) has been selected to the Novartis limited-distribution panel  to distribute COSENTYX™ (secukinumab), a drug approved in January by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. 

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the skin, causing patches of redness and irritation. The condition occurs more often in patients with a family history of the disease, with symptoms typically starting between the ages of 15 and 35. The most common form is plaque psoriasis; patients with this form develop red, thick skin with silver-white, flaky patches called scales.

The active ingredient in COSENTYX™ is a monoclonal antibody called secukinumab. To treat psoriasis, it binds to interleukin (IL)-17A, a signaling protein involved in the body's inflammatory response. This process prevents the IL-17A protein from binding to its receptor, and inhibits its ability to trigger the inflammation that results in plaque psoriasis.

"COSENTYX™ is the first approved drug to target the IL-17 pathway, and given its clinical results, we're excited to be able to offer it," said Gary Kadlec, Diplomat's president. "Psoriasis is an issue that causes real ramifications in the lives of millions of patients and families. We're ready to offer the support they need to address their symptoms, successfully stay on therapy and achieve their treatment goals."

COSENTYX™ is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and intended for patients who are eligible for systemic therapy, phototherapy or a combination of the two. Please see full prescribing information for COSENTYX™ at http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/cosentyx.pdf.  

To learn more about Diplomat, visit www.diplomat.is.

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, including statements relating to Diplomat's distribution of the drug(s) set forth above (and any implied financial impact). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information, and 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. These risks include the number of patients prescribed such drug(s) currently and in the future, patient's adherence to such drug(s), the number of distributors on panel and our relative distribution share, the timing of drug sales, the cost of such drug(s) and reimbursement rates by payors, drug competition, and the factors set forth in "Risk Factors" in Diplomat's prospectus dated October 10, 2014 and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as may be required by any applicable law, 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) serves patients and physicians in all 50 states. Headquartered in Flint, Michigan, the company focuses on medication management programs for people with complex chronic diseases, including oncology, immunology, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, HIV, specialized infusion therapy and many other serious or long-term conditions. 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 www.diplomat.is. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn and like us on Facebook.

CONTACT: 
Gary Rice, RPH, MS, MBA, CSP, Vice President, Clinical Services  
810.768.9863 | [email protected]

Jenny Cretu, MBA, Vice President, Marketing & Public Relations 
810.768.9370 | [email protected]

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SOURCE Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.

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