Epiduo® TAP Program May Increase Patient Adherence To Acne Treatment

Multi-Media Program Provides Epiduo^® Gel Patients with Tools to Track Treatment

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Galderma Laboratories, L.P. today announced the availability of the Epiduo^® TAP (Treatment, Adherence, and Performance) Program, a first-of-its-kind online and mobile patient platform, powered by HealthPrize, that educates acne patients about the proper application of Epiduo^® (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide 0.1%/2.5%) Gel and encourages acne patients to stay adherent to treatment through an interactive and integrated performance-based platform.  Epiduo^® TAP Program is now available to dermatologists and their patients nationwide to promote better treatment adherence which could improve treatment outcomes. 

"Epiduo^® TAP Program is a welcomed educational program that helps set and manage Epiduo^® Gel treatment expectations from the onset of treatment," said Steven R. Feldman, M.D., PhD., Professor Dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.  "More than just an educational program, the Epiduo^® TAP Program helps dermatologists' patients use their acne treatment correctly, which may lead to increased adherence and improved treatment outcomes.  Poor use of acne medication can occur anytime during treatment, and given the chronic nature of acne, a program like Epiduo^® TAP Program is needed to encourage patient adherence to the entire treatment schedule.  It is exciting to see the use of an internet-based approach to encourage better health outcomes.  I think we are seeing the future of medicine beginning to unfold."

Once prescribed Epiduo^® Gel, patients will be able to register for Epiduo^® TAP Program and begin earning points by interacting with various program elements, such as: reporting daily medication usage, refilling their Epiduo^® Gel prescription and completing weekly quizzes and surveys.  Points earned through these activities can be redeemed for rewards.

Through the program's incentive-based system, patients are encouraged to follow their treatment regimen via text and email reminders.  These reminders may help patients adhere to treatment, improve outcomes, and prevent future breakouts.

"We constantly hear from dermatologists that adherence to acne medication is poor and there is a need for programs to help improve compliance," said Brian Johnson, Vice President of Prescription Marketing, Galderma Laboratories, L.P.  "Galderma has always been committed to achieving the highest innovative dermatological standards.  Epiduo^® TAP Program allows Galderma to develop its technology footprint, which uses concepts from gamification and behavioral economics to create a better patient experience while improving acne education and adherence which should ultimately help improve treatment outcomes." 

About Acne
Acne vulgaris is the most common skin problem in the United States, affecting about 40 to 50 million Americans at any one point in time.¹ Acne appears when skin pores clog, beginning with dead skin cells.¹ When the body starts to make lots of sebum, dead skin cells can stick together inside the pore.  Instead of rising to the surface, the cells become trapped inside the pore.¹ Sometimes bacteria that live on our skin, p. acnes, also get inside the clogged pore.¹ Inside the pore, the bacteria have a perfect environment for multiplying very quickly.¹ With loads of bacteria inside, the pore becomes inflamed (red and swollen).¹ If the inflammation goes deep into the skin, an acne cyst or nodule appears.¹

About Galderma
Galderma is a global pharmaceutical company founded in 1981 and exclusively focused on dermatology. The company has 31 wholly-owned affiliates with a worldwide network of distributors and 4,000 employees. Galderma's extensive product portfolio is available in 70 countries and treats a range of dermatological conditions including: acne, rosacea, onychomycosis, psoriasis & steroid-responsive dermatoses, pigmentary disorders, skin cancer and medical solutions for skin senescence. In 2011, Galderma acquired Q-Med, a Swedish medical device company specialized in aesthetics, strengthening Galderma's presence in the aesthetic and corrective market.

With approximately 19% of revenues invested each year to discover and develop new products and access innovative technologies, the company is one of the world's leading investors in dermatology R&D. Four state-of-the-art R&D centers, of which Sophia Antipolis in France is one of the largest dermatology sites in the world, and four manufacturing sites are dedicated to providing a wide range of innovative medical solutions which meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy. Strategic brands in the US include Epiduo^®, Oracea^®, Clobex^®, Differin^®, MetroGel^®, Vectical^® and Cetaphil^®. For more information, please visit www.galdermausa.com.

About HealthPrize
HealthPrize Technologies provides an innovative approach to addressing the problem of medication non-adherence with an online and mobile-based program that is fun, educational and rewarding.  Patients are engaged and motivated by the HealthPrize system which leverages gaming dynamics, behavioral economics and proven concepts from consumer marketing to engage and educate patients so they start and stay on prescribed medications.  

For more information, please visit http://www.healthprize.com.

Important Safety Information
Indication: Epiduo^® Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 9 years of age and older. Adverse Events: In controlled clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events (>1%) in patients treated with Epiduo^® Gel were dry skin, contact dermatitis, application site burning, application site irritation and skin irritation. Warnings/Precautions: Patients taking Epiduo^® Gel should avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps and wear sunscreen when sun exposure cannot be avoided. Erythema, scaling, dryness, stinging/ burning, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis may occur with use of Epiduo^® Gel and may necessitate discontinuation.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References:

1. American Academy of Dermatology.  Acne: Who gets and causes.  Accessed at: https://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatology-a-to-z/acne/who-gets-causes on February 4, 2013.

SOURCE Galderma Laboratories, L.P.