Ruxolitinib (Opzelura)

Canada’s Drug Agency (CDA-AMC) recommends that Opzelura not be reimbursed by public drug plans for topical treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo in adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older. Evidence from 2 clinical trials demonstrated that about 30% of patients using Opzelura saw significant improvement in facial repigmentation, compared to around 8% to 11% using a placebo. More patients also reported that their vitiligo became less noticeable or no longer noticeable than those who received placebo. However, the impact of vitiligo on daily life varies, and the treatment did not lead to meaningful improvements in overall health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The studies only compared Opzelura to a placebo; therefore, there is no data on how it performs against other commonly used treatments. The Canadian Drug Expert Committee (CDEC) recognized that vitiligo can seriously affect people’s lives, especially those with darker skin tones, who may face stigma, loss of identity, and low self-esteem. Most trial participants had lighter skin tones, and the treatment did not improve their HRQoL. These limitations make it difficult to know how effective Opzelura would be for those most affected by vitiligo.