Health Canada approves medication for rare skin condition [Video]

Albertans living with an autoimmune disease that causes the discoloration and depigmentation of skin now have a new sense of hope after Health Canada approved a breakthrough topical medication.

“There’s really never been anything to treat it,” said Alia Azim, a Calgary woman who lives with nonsegmental vitiligo.

“I’ve seen dermatologists over the years and there hasn’t been a ton of research, so I was kind of giving up.”

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Azim was diagnosed with the rare condition as a teenager when she noticed the skin on her hands was becoming discoloured and splotchy.

For the past 30 years she’s struggled with the disorder and there has never been an effective treatment option.

“When you’re in the sun, the white patches burn really fast, …