Psoriasis Action Month Is the Perfect Time for Pharmacists to Get Involved

Approximately 8 million individuals in the US and 125 million globally are living with psoriasis.¹ Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes skin inflammation, such as red, scaly, and itchy patches. There are 5 types of psoriasis: plaque, inverse, pustular, guttate, and erythrodermic psoriasis.²

August is Psoriasis Action Month, and pharmacists can play a vital role in patient education.¹ The theme for 2026 is “Optimizing Patients’ Health Through the Right Tools.”¹ Pharmacists can also educate patients about new psoriasis drug approvals. Through medication therapy management (MTM), pharmacists can educate and monitor patients to ensure they are maximizing their drug therapy options.

Psoriasis and MTM

In addition to patient interactions, pharmacists can raise awareness about Psoriasis Action Month through social media and community outreach programs, such as health fair presentations. Research data have consistently shown that pharmacists can improve psoriasis medication adherence.

One randomized controlled study of 68 patients (63 completed the study) evaluated the role of clinical pharmacists and medication adherence in patients with psoriasis.³ Patients in both groups were monitored through follow-up calls and dermatology visits. The intervention group received pharmaceutical care from a clinical pharmacist regarding medication adherence. Patients received brochures with information and education from the pharmacist. At baseline and after 1 month of follow-up, the pharmacist assessed patient medication adherence. The study showed a significant improvement in medication adherence in the intervention group involving a pharmacist vs the control group (P = .0001). This study’s findings highlight the important role pharmacists play as an integral part of the health care team in improving medication adherence.³  

Pharmacists should also be aware of new drug therapy options approved for psoriasis. Icotrokinra (Icotyde; Janssen Biotech, Inc) was FDA approved in March 2026 to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. It is the first oral IL-23 receptor antagonist and is approved for adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older weighing at least 40 kg.⁴ Icotrokinra is shown to be safe and effective in clinical studies, with the most common adverse effects being headache, nausea, cough, fungal infection, and fatigue.^5,6

For patients taking icotrokinra, it is important that pharmacists provide dosing and management guidance during MTM consults. The dosage is 200 mg orally once daily. It should be taken on an empty stomach with water immediately after waking up in the morning. Patients should wait at least 30 minutes after taking icotrokinra before consuming any food.⁶

If patients have difficulty swallowing pills, icotrokinra can be dispersed in water. Patients can place 1 tablet in a cup that contains at least 120 mL (4 oz) of water. It can take a few minutes for the tablet to fully disperse, and it is normal for it not to do so completely. Small pieces may remain in the mixture that are safe to consume.⁶ The appearance of the mixture can be cloudy, milky, or yellow. Pharmacists should tell patients to gently swirl the mixture before consuming it. Additionally, patients should add another 120 mL of water to the cup and consume the entire mixture to ensure the full icotrokinra dose is taken. The mixture should be taken within 15 minutes of preparing it.⁶  

Pharmacists are well positioned to make a meaningful impact during Psoriasis Action Month and beyond. Through MTM services, community outreach, and 1-on-1 patient counseling, pharmacists can help close the adherence gap that so often undermines treatment success in psoriasis. As newer therapies enter the market, pharmacists’ guidance on proper administration, timing, and alternative dosing methods will be essential in helping patients get the full benefit of their treatment.

MTM Spotlight

In an email interview with Pharmacy Times, Charity Reid, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at Janus Rx in Virginia Beach, discussed the pharmacist’s role in psoriasis education and management. Janus Rx is a long-term care pharmacy that specializes in mental and behavioral health. Its services include telepharmacy, compliance packaging, and inpatient filling and discharge. Reid said she provides a variety of self-care counseling tips to patients with psoriasis.

“I advise patients to moisturize their skin as needed and avoid showering or bathing with hot water. Instead, use warm water to prevent the skin from drying out,” Reid said. “Patients should also avoid scratching and picking the skin to prevent psoriasis from worsening and flaring. Cold compresses can help manage psoriasis symptoms. Patients should also monitor their symptoms to see what makes their psoriasis better or worse.”

Reid recommends emollients such as Aquaphor and topical steroids such as hydrocortisone for patients with psoriasis. Tacrolimus, tazarotene, and calcipotriene are topical psoriasis medications that Reid commonly dispenses for managing psoriasis.

About the Author

Jennifer Gershman, PharmD, CPh, PACS, is a drug information pharmacist and Pharmacy Times contributor who resides in South Florida.

REFERENCES

1. Psoriasis Action Month. National Psoriasis Foundation. Accessed July 8, 2026. https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-action-month/

2. About psoriasis. National Psoriasis Foundation. Accessed July 8, 2026. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/#overview

3. Hiremath AC, Bhandari R, Wali S, Ganachari MS, Doshi B. Impact of clinical pharmacist on medication adherence among psoriasis patients: a randomized controlled study. Clin Epidemiol Global Health. 2021;10:100687. doi:10.1016/j.cegh.2020.100687

4. FDA approval of Icotyde (icotrokinra) ushers in new era for first-line systemic treatment of plaque psoriasis with a targeted oral peptide. News release. Johnson & Johnson. March 18, 2026. Accessed July 8, 2026. https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases/fda-approval-of-icotyde-icotrokinra-ushers-in-new-era-for-first-line-systemic-treatment-of-plaque-psoriasis-with-a-targeted-oral-peptide

5. Altayf A, Lateiresh M, Marwan L, Alfeetouri MY, Zouaoui Y, Elhadi M. Efficacy and safety of oral icotrokinra in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and trial sequential analysis. Int J Dermatol. 2026;65(6):1144-1154. doi:10.1111/ijd.70380

6. Icotyde. Prescribing information. Janssen Biotech, Inc; 2026. Accessed July 8, 2026. https://www.jnjlabels.com/package-insert/product-monograph/prescribing-information/ICOTYDE-pi.pdf