Biological therapies advance severe asthma treatment in Poland

Biological therapies have significantly improved the lives of patients with severe asthma in Poland, yet many still lack access. While approximately 6,000 patients currently benefit from reimbursed biological treatments, estimates suggest that up to 35,000 people may require such therapy. Furthermore, patients suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) face a lack of access to certain biological drugs that are already registered within the European Union.

Diagnosis remains a major hurdle, as over half of asthma and COPD patients in Poland have not yet been formally diagnosed. Experts emphasize that spirometry is essential for identifying airway obstruction. To encourage screening, free spirometry tests are being conducted across ten National Health Fund (NFZ) provincial branches.

Newer innovations, such as depemokimab, offer a breakthrough for severe asthma. This monoclonal antibody targets the interleukin-5 (IL-5) pathway, which is relevant to approximately 80 percent of patients. A key advantage of this therapy is its long-acting nature, allowing for administration only once every six months, which may improve patient adherence and reduce the frequency of medical visits.