FLINT, Mich., Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc. (NYSE: DPLO) announced today that it is now filling prescriptions for two new indications for COSENTYX(® )(secukinumab). The two new indications follow the earlier U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for COSENTYX(®) in January 2015 to treat adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The FDA has approved indications for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis and active psoriatic arthritis.

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Ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis are both lifelong, painful and debilitating inflammatory diseases that affect the joints and/or spine. It is estimated that up to 0.5% of the population have ankylosing spondylitis and up to 1% live with psoriatic arthritis. If not treated effectively, both conditions can lead to irreversible joint and/or spinal bone damage caused by years of inflammation.

"COSENTYX(®) is now the first and only interleukin (IL-17A) antagonist approved for ankylosing spondylitis and moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis," said Gary Kadlec, Diplomat president. "The two new approved indications are a real turning point for those living with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis-offering a new approach to treating two of the most common inflammatory joint conditions."

COSENTYX(®) is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, and intended for patients who are eligible for systemic therapy or phototherapy. Please see full prescribing information for COSENTYX(®) here.

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. 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 December 31, 2014 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) 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:
Kali Lucas, Public Relations Coordinator
810.768.9580 | press@diplomat.is

Gary Rice, RPh, MS, MBA, CSP,
Senior Vice President, Clinical Services,
Education, and Human Resources
810.768.9863 | grice@diplomat.is

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SOURCE Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.