Home Phototherapy Overview:
Home Phototherapy is the use of specific ranges of ultraviolet light in a home setting to treat photo-responsive skin diseases such as psoriasis, vitiligo, and eczema/atopic dermatitis. A highly effective treatment, home phototherapy provides positive outcomes without the dangerous, more frequent side effects of biologics, but at a significantly lower cost. It also improves patient adherence through convenient availability of treatment at home1.
Phototherapy in general is underutilized compared to biologics, largely due to the sizable marketing budgets of pharmaceutical companies for promotion of their respective drug treatments. The significant cost and risk of harmful side effects associated with biologics has created an unnecessary burden on payors and patients that could be lessened through the expansion of medical insurance coverage for home phototherapy.
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Why Choose Phototherapy
The side effects of Narrowband UVB are typically rare, mild, and most importantly external. It is safe for children, the elderly, and patients who are pregnant or nursing, as well as patients who are HIV+ or diabetic. The most common side effects of Narrowband UVB are occasional erythema and dry skin. There have been no deaths reported to the FDA due to the treatment of psoriasis with ultraviolet therapy.
Phototherapy is more effective than competing biological drugs and it works nearly twice as fast. Of the biologics, only Enbrel® is approved for pediatric use in the treatment of psoriasis (Narrowband UVB is approved and has a long track record of safe pediatric use).
When used with topical drugs, phototherapy combination treatments are even more effective, with reports of up to a 93% clearance rate with a Narrowband UVB + Etretinate combination. The bottom line: Daavlin phototherapy works faster and better for your patients.
Daavlin devices can be equipped with our patented ClearLink Controller – an intuitive touch-screen control system that makes entering treatments easier than ever. The ClearLink Controller is available in three operating modes – time only, dosimetry, and guided – to satisfy all of your patients’ needs.
In addition, prescribers can utilize Daavlin’s ClearLink Prescriber’s Portal for a fast and easy prescribing experience. With the ClearLink Portal, providers can quickly set up an account by creating, or joining an existing practice, and then almost immediately start adding and prescribing to patients.
Daavlin’s exclusive Integrating Dosimetry and Guided Protocols utilize advanced software capabilities to allow providers to monitor patient treatments and control the exact dosage of light administered, regardless of power output variations. Both features minimize the risk of user error and allow physicians and payors to ensure that the treatment plan is being followed appropriately. This is especially important when payors implement step therapy programs, to avoid patients simply bypassing phototherapy without using it to then immediately move on to a biologic, which significantly increases the economic burden for the health plan.
The Economic Value of Home Phototherapy:
Psoriasis creates a large economic burden for patients and payors in the United States, with annual direct cost estimates ranging from $51.7 billion to $63.2 billion and an additional $23.9 billion to $35.4 billion in annual indirect costs2. Pharmacy costs, largely attributable to biologic therapies, account for the majority of this economic burden3.
Health plans often unintentionally push patients towards more expensive therapies, including biologics, by limiting access through excessive co-pays or denying coverage for home phototherapy devices. While some patients do require biologics (e.g. those with psoriatic arthritis), phototherapy is an ideal first line of treatment for the majority of patients that both reduces side effects and significantly lowers costs while providing a highly effective treatment and excellent results.
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Treatment Solutions
Daavlin has a variety of products to suit your patients' needs. These units range from hand-held and table-top devices for spot treatment of small areas to cabinet or “walk-in” units for patients requiring full body treatment.
Prescribing at Home
Our online physician portal, ClearLink, makes prescribing home phototherapy units for your patients easy. With ClearLink, you can securely fill out the Physician’s Written Order on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. See our Quick Links below if you prefer prescribing by fax.
Phototherapy vs. Biologics
While biological drug therapies have become popular in the last few years, it is important to evaluate the safety of these medications.
