Novartis Malaysia today launched Let’s Be Clear, a new mobile health app that provides a beyond medication solution for patients to better manage their disease. Let’s Be Clear has been developed specifically for patients who have been prescribed biologics treatment manufactured by Novartis which is used to treat moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) .

“We are excited to be launching Let’s Be Clear, which we believe will be instrumental in providing our biologics users in Malaysia with an easy yet comprehensive way to manage their various conditions. Let’s Be Clear is
dear to our hearts because we understand the daily burden faced by patients suffering from psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and AS. While speaking to patients, we have come to understand how overwhelming it can be to keep track of whether their condition is worsening or if their treatment is working at all.

From logging journals, assessing and tracking symptoms, and calling out important reminders, it is our hope that the Let’s Be Clear app will enable patients to have a renewed sense of authority over their disease. For psoriasis patients who feel that they have gone years without noticing improvements in their skin condition, by tracking with Let’s Be Clear, these positive changes will not go unnoticed any longer. Similarly, those who suffer from chronic pain due to psoriatic arthritis and AS will be able to better communicate the severity of their condition to their treating physicians in order to improve their treatment regimes.”

Mr Patrik Grande, President and Managing Director, Novartis Malaysia & Brunei

The severity of psoriasis varies from patient to patient, with symptoms including dry, cracked skin, nail pitting, and swollen and stiff joints. While primarily considered a skin condition, psoriasis has multi- system implications putting these patients at risk for developing obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, depression and cardiovascular disease. In Malaysia, as many as 23.6% of psoriasis patients are obese, 26.3% have hypertension and 17.4% are known diabetics.

“Every day feels like a game of chance. Will I have another flare up today? Will the itching keep me
up tonight? Will I be able to leave the house without being stared at? Will I even be able to walk out of the house pain free? Some days are definitely better than others, but there is never any certainty,”

Psoriasis patient, Puan Roshazma binti Che Hamid.

The Let’s Be Clear app provides a user-friendly platform for patients to manage their disease right in the palm of their hands. Let’s Be Clear offers a variety of handy features including a QR code scanner for easy tracking of medication and a redemption feature that rewards the patient’s compliance to medication. Reminders of their next injection, doctor’s appointment and other important information can also be added to the Home page for patients’ easy reference. Additionally, patients can track their disease progression through daily journal entries while taking tests related to their disease at monthly or quarterly intervals to help analyse and track their symptoms.

The app is also supported by a dashboard for physicians which gives them access to their patient’s reports, thus enabling them to monitor their patients’ progress and treatment journey.

Patients suffering from psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and AS can speak to their doctors to find out more.