It is not in all pharmacies: the first treatment for vitiligo is available in France, how to get it

L'actrice Winnie Harlow, ici au Festival de Cannes en mai 2023, est atteinte de vitiligo depuis l'âge de 4 ans. SEBASTIEN NOGIER – EFE/EPA

A first treatment against vitiligo has been authorized in France, according to a decree published in the Official Journal this Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Good news for patients suffering from vitiligo, an autoimmune disease characterized by progressive depigmentation of the skin: they will benefit from a first authorized treatment reimbursed by Health Insurance, according to a decree published Wednesday January 31, 2024 in the Official Journal.

This treatment concerns Opzelura cream, developed by the American laboratory Incyte Biosciences, to treat "non-segmental vitiligo with facial involvement in adults and adolescents over 12 years", cites in particular Le Figaro.

Skin depigmentation

This good news comes as part of a so-called "direct access"TF1 info .

Vitiligo causes a progressive breakdown of the cells producing skin pigments, the melanocytes, which leads to depigmentation in the form of white spots on the face and body. Former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe suffers from this in particular and spoke publicly about it.

Actress Winnie Harlow has suffered from vitiligo since the age of 4. She became the face of the Spanish brand Desigual, and called for more tolerance on Instagram.

British Fashion Awards ❤️ WH pic.twitter.com/d8hQSvpc20

— ♔Winnie Harlow♔ (@winnieharlow) December 4, 2023

Where to get the cream ?

Opzelura cream will not be found on the shelves of just any pharmacy. Patients will have to obtain it from hospital pharmacies during the direct access period, reports TF1 info.

Apply twice a day

By applying the cream twice a day, "the patient will gradually see repigmentation", explains the manufacturer's spokesperson in France, Claire Lhériteau-Calmé, quoted by TF1 info. The manufacturer's spokesperson refers to the results of a phase III study which show improvement in the face after six months of treatment for approximately 31% of patients.

This treatment for vitiligo was already available in the United States, Germany and Austria.