Many Primary Care Physicians Are Unaware About Biologic Asthma Medications

Despite the fact that biologic medications have been available for 20 years to treat asthma, a startling proportion of family physicians still do not recommend them to adults and children.

Results of a recent poll, which were presented at the annual conference of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology this month in Anaheim, California, revealed that almost two out of every five primary care physicians (42%) are not familiar with asthma biologics.

According to the survey, the doctors frequently delayed referring patients to an asthma specialist until after the patient had had two or more asthma attacks in a year because they were unaware of the requirements for prescribing the medications, which included necessary lab testing.

Lead researcher Dr. Bijalben Patel, a resident at the University of South Florida (USF), stated, “We wanted to know if PCPs were familiar with biologics to treat asthma because we know that many people who suffer from asthma are regularly seen by PCPs.”

According to a conference press release, Patel continued, “We also wanted to explore whether PCPs were aware of eligibility requirements for a patient to start biologic treatment, and at what point they were referring asthma patients with uncontrolled symptoms to asthma specialists.”

Eighty-five primary care physicians—internists, family medicine specialists, and pediatricians—were questioned via email by the researchers.

According to their findings, 82% of labs—including 90% that do not test for absolute eosinophil count—do not receive the results required to prescribe biologics. White blood cells known as eosinophils are active during allergic reactions.

Senior researcher Dr. Juan Carlos Cardet, an assistant professor of allergy and immunology at USF, stated that “the survey results point to the need to improve the communication between primary care physicians and asthma care specialists, including regarding use of biologics.”

“Biologics have emerged as a critical treatment tool for asthma and other allergic diseases, including eosinophilic esophagitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and atopic dermatitis [eczema], and can avert significant adverse outcomes in patients who are qualified for them,” Cardet continued.