Glenmark and IADVL organise awareness campaign to support Vitiligo patients in India

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Glenmark), a global pharmaceutical company focused on research, has teamed up with The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL) to launch postcards and calendars to raise awareness and support for individuals with vitiligo, a skin disorder affecting pigmentation.

In order to combat misinformation and promote acceptance, Glenmark and IADVL organized the "Empathy in Every Stroke" painting competition on World Vitiligo Day, June 25, 2024. Dermatologists nationwide participated, submitting over 150 entries depicting the journey of vitiligo patients and emphasizing awareness and treatment importance.

Twenty-two winning paintings were selected, with 12 featured in the IADVL 2025 calendar and 10 turned into postcards. These artworks serve as reminders of empathy, acceptance, and respect for those with vitiligo.

Vitiligo, characterized by melanin-producing cell malfunction leading to skin depigmentation, affects physical appearance and psychological well-being. India, with a prevalence of 8.8%, faces significant societal stigmatization of vitiligo-affected individuals despite its global prevalence of 0.5-1%.