Biologic Meds Website: A Resource for Patients and Healthcare Professionals
Biologic medicine is increasingly used to treat many diseases. These innovative drugs show great promise. But not everyone is aware of how biologics are transforming treatment. Allergy & Asthma Network and the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED), both national 501(c)(3) patient organizations, partnered to raise awareness of biologics for respiratory, allergic and skin diseases.
Together, we developed and launched the website BiologicMeds.org. This website helps people learn about biologic therapies and the diseases they treat. These conditions include:
- Moderate to severe asthma (including severe allergic asthma)
- Eosinophilic asthma
- COPD with an eosinophilic type
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- Chronic urticaria
- Food allergies
- Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)
- AERD
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)
- Certain autoimmune diseases
Biologic therapies are designed to stop symptoms before they can start. They work at the cellular level, blocking inflammatory proteins in the body. They can reduce inflammation, keep symptoms in check, and improve well-being.
“This educational resource will help people better understand how biologic medicines work and how they are administered,” says Mary Jo Strobel, Executive Director of APFED. “Biologics are currently available to treat many allergic and eosinophilic conditions. These specialized medicines gradually reduce symptoms over time. They have been shown to improve quality of life for many patients.”
The website has been medically reviewed by board-certified allergists to ensure accuracy.
What are biologic medicines?
Biologic medicines are made from the living cells or byproducts of animals, humans, or microorganisms. They are in a drug class called monoclonal antibodies. Biologics are designed to treat the source of symptoms. They target specific cells and pathways to block proteins that help produce and activate white blood cells.
Biological drugs are sometime referred to as precision or personalized medicine. This is because of how the medication targets specific molecules.
Biologics may be prescribed when people have severe symptoms despite the use of other treatments. They’re available for adults and children. Some biologics are prescribed to children as young as 6 months of age. Most are for children ages 12 and up.
Biologics are typically given as an injection or infusion every 2-4 weeks. The first dose is usually given in a doctor’s office or clinic. After that, most biologics can be taken at home. The patient must knows how to administer the injection. A healthcare provider will give instructions on dosage, injection site, and safety precautions.
The BiologicMeds.org website lists each of the biologics available to treat respiratory, allergic and skin diseases.
What is biologic therapy for asthma and allergies?
Biologic drugs for asthma and allergies are a novel approach. They work by blocking specific cells and proteins in the immune system that cause airway inflammation. This can help stop asthma symptoms and allergy symptoms before they can start.
One type of biologic medicine blocks a protein called immunoglobulin E (IgE). This is released during allergic reactions. This can lead to allergic asthma and CRSwNP. Other biologics block cells that release chemicals called eosinophils that cause inflammation. This can result in severe eosinophilic asthma. It can also cause CRSwNP.
Biologic treatments are often used in people who don’t get enough relief from traditional medications. They are an add-on medication, meaning they can be taken with other treatments, including asthma inhalers. Biologics are given either as injections or infusions, usually at a doctor’s office. Some patients can take them at home.
Biologic asthma treatment can help improve lung function. It can also reduce asthma flares. For CRSwNP, biologic medication can prevent inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses. It can also reduce the size of nasal polyps.
Biologics are not suitable for everyone. Discuss all your treatment options with your healthcare provider.
What are biosimilars?
What to do if a biologic is not available or too expensive? Ask about biosimilars.
A biosimilar is a copy of a biologic drug, with a few minor differences. It is required provide the same benefit as the original biologic drug. It is designed to have the same effect on symptoms and risk of side effects as the biologic counterpart.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves biosimilars. Before doing so, FDA must confirm they are safe and effective. If your doctor recommends a biologic medicine, ask if there’s a biosimilar for it.
What’s the difference between generics and biosimilars?
Generics are copies of brand-name drugs such as pills, tablets, liquids and inhalers. Biosimilars are copies of brand-name biologics.
The primary difference: many biologics tend to undergo a stricter approval process at FDA. They are also for a wider range of medical conditions. Biologics can also treat such conditions as psoriatic arthritis, multiple sclerosis, ankylosing spondylitis and certain cancers.
What’s the cost difference between biologics and biosimilars?
Biologics are very expensive medications. Biosimilars are more affordable.
The cost of biologic drugs can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars per year. The biologics prescribed to treat asthma, allergies, eczema and urticaria are about $3,000 to $5,000. Why do biologics cost so much? It takes years to develop a biologic, conduct clinical trials, and get it FDA approved. This process is very costly.
Biosimilars do not have to undergo similar lengthy and costly drug approvals. As a result, they are often less expensive. Biosimilars can be up to 30% cheaper than biologic drugs. In addition, there may be financial assistance programs for biosimilars.
Before starting a biologic or biosimilar drug, call your insurance company. Learn about the out-of-pocket costs for biologics and biosimilars.
Biologic resources
Biologic treatment can make a world of difference for many people with chronic diseases. The BiologicMeds.org website is intended to raise awareness of these innovative medications. It is for patients and healthcare professionals alike.
We invite you to visit BiologicMeds.org.
- Learn when to talk with your doctor about a biologic treatment.
- Learn about specific biologic treatments for asthma and allergies.
- Learn about different conditions you can treat with biologic medicine.
- Learn the terms to know when discussing biologics.
- Find out if insurance covers biologics and if there may be out-of-pocket costs.
- Learn how to administer biologic medications at home.
- Find out what side effects to watch for and monitor.
- Debunk common myths involving biologics.
- Get a list of questions you should ask your doctor.
- Learn the difference between biologics and biosimilars.
- Access additional resources and biologic articles.
Use the website to better understand how biologic treatment can help you. Share the website with your family, friends and colleagues. Spread the message far and wide that biologics can help transform your health.
The BiologicMeds.org website was created with support from Amgen, AstraZeneca and Sanofi Regeneron.