We continue with the next video in the series of Tu Farmacéutico Informa video advice focused on raising awareness of biosimilar biological medicines in the diseases in which these drugs are most used.
Video advice given by pharmacist Jorge Vázquez, national member of Industry of the General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges, produced by @medicinatelevision_tv, and with the collaboration of the Spanish Association of Biosimilars @biosim-asociacionespanolad2306
First, let's remember what a biosimilar is. When a biological medicine loses its patent and its exclusivity in the market, it opens up to competition, making it possible for other laboratories to market the same active ingredient at a lower price.
And these are biosimilar drugs: biological drugs that are prescribed by your doctor and that meet the same guarantees of quality, safety and effectiveness as the original biological.
We now enter the central topic of the video: psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes patients to appear red spots with scales, itching, discomfort and pain. It is estimated that in 2022 psoriasis affected more than 2,3 million people in Spain, that is, almost 5% of the population.
The arrival of biological medications has represented an extraordinary advance in the treatment of this disease although, due to their cost/benefit ratio, their use was reserved for serious cases. However, with the appearance of its biosimilar medications, the price has decreased and its use could be expanded to patients in whom traditional drugs do not obtain the desired result.
Biosimilar medications used in psoriasis include the following drugs:
or adalimumab
or etanercept
or infliximab
All three drugs have the same mechanism of action. Basically, they bind and neutralize a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). TNF-α is one of the causes of inflammation, so neutralizing this protein improves the disease.
Infliximab can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously. If it is intravenous, you will have to go to the hospital so that the nurse can administer it to you.
Both adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept are medications administered subcutaneously and can be self-administered at home. In this regard, there are two types of devices, syringes and prefilled pens. Remember that each device has specific application instructions, so it is important that a health professional teach you how to administer it yourself or someone close to you.
Another very important aspect to take into account is that medications used subcutaneously—such as adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab—have special storage conditions, specifically they must be stored in the refrigerator (between 2ºC and 8ºC). It is important that the medication is not frozen and is preserved from light until the moment of use to keep its properties intact.
When you are going to administer it, remember that it is very important to temper the medication for the time indicated on the package insert before using it.
Likewise, when you travel, you must maintain the cold chain of your medication, which is why you need to bring a portable refrigerator that keeps the medication at a temperature between 2ºC and 8ºC. This is necessary to ensure that the medication retains its properties and will produce the desired therapeutic effect on your body.
Apart from pharmacological treatment, adequate skin care adapted to each patient's situation will help improve symptoms.
Remember, always ask your trusted pharmacist, the healthcare professional who is expert in the medication. We will inform you and resolve any questions you may have.
Video advice given by pharmacist Jorge Vázquez, national member of Industry of the General Council of Pharmaceutical Colleges, produced by @medicinatelevision_tv, and with the collaboration of the Spanish Association of Biosimilars @biosim-asociacionespanolad2306
First, let's remember what a biosimilar is. When a biological medicine loses its patent and its exclusivity in the market, it opens up to competition, making it possible for other laboratories to market the same active ingredient at a lower price.
And these are biosimilar drugs: biological drugs that are prescribed by your doctor and that meet the same guarantees of quality, safety and effectiveness as the original biological.
We now enter the central topic of the video: psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes patients to appear red spots with scales, itching, discomfort and pain. It is estimated that in 2022 psoriasis affected more than 2,3 million people in Spain, that is, almost 5% of the population.
The arrival of biological medications has represented an extraordinary advance in the treatment of this disease although, due to their cost/benefit ratio, their use was reserved for serious cases. However, with the appearance of its biosimilar medications, the price has decreased and its use could be expanded to patients in whom traditional drugs do not obtain the desired result.
Biosimilar medications used in psoriasis include the following drugs:
or adalimumab
or etanercept
or infliximab
All three drugs have the same mechanism of action. Basically, they bind and neutralize a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). TNF-α is one of the causes of inflammation, so neutralizing this protein improves the disease.
Infliximab can be administered intravenously or subcutaneously. If it is intravenous, you will have to go to the hospital so that the nurse can administer it to you.
Both adalimumab, infliximab and etanercept are medications administered subcutaneously and can be self-administered at home. In this regard, there are two types of devices, syringes and prefilled pens. Remember that each device has specific application instructions, so it is important that a health professional teach you how to administer it yourself or someone close to you.
Another very important aspect to take into account is that medications used subcutaneously—such as adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab—have special storage conditions, specifically they must be stored in the refrigerator (between 2ºC and 8ºC). It is important that the medication is not frozen and is preserved from light until the moment of use to keep its properties intact.
When you are going to administer it, remember that it is very important to temper the medication for the time indicated on the package insert before using it.
Likewise, when you travel, you must maintain the cold chain of your medication, which is why you need to bring a portable refrigerator that keeps the medication at a temperature between 2ºC and 8ºC. This is necessary to ensure that the medication retains its properties and will produce the desired therapeutic effect on your body.
Apart from pharmacological treatment, adequate skin care adapted to each patient's situation will help improve symptoms.
Remember, always ask your trusted pharmacist, the healthcare professional who is expert in the medication. We will inform you and resolve any questions you may have.