Cost is emerging as the biggest hurdle in making the breakthrough asthma drug, benralizumab, widely accessible, according to doctors.
Researchers at King’s College London have hailed benralizumab as the most significant alternative to steroids in the last 50 years for managing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This injectable drug is already used in emergency cases for severe respiratory flare-ups. However, a recent trial from 2021 to 2024 shed light on its long-term benefits.
In the trial, 158 patients hospitalized for asthma or COPD emergencies in the UK received the drug. The findings revealed that monthly injections significantly reduced lung inflammation and extended treatment-free periods by up to 30 days.
Despite these benefits, cost remains a major barrier. Benralizumab injections are about 20 times more expensive than traditional steroid inhalers, delaying their widespread availability.
Current Treatment Options
Dr. Muhammed Aslam, a pulmonologist at International Modern Hospital, Dubai, explains that asthma is common in the region due to dust and air conditioning. For most patients, inhalers remain the most affordable option.
“Currently, triple therapy inhalers combining three molecules are widely used for uncontrolled asthma or COPD,” Dr. Aslam said. “Benralizumab will likely be reserved for those who can afford it because it’s significantly pricier than standard inhalers.”
The commercial version of benralizumab, Fasenra, costs approximately $5,197 for a 1ml injectable dose. Comparatively, common steroid inhalers like Ventolin cost about $80, while Advair HFA, a combination inhaler, costs around $545. In severe cases, short-term steroids like Prednisone, costing $180 for a 10-tablet pack, are commonly prescribed.
Doctors aim to reduce steroid use due to long-term side effects, including osteoporosis, weight gain, and high blood pressure.
Trial Results
The trial divided patients into three groups to test different treatments:
- Benralizumab and a placebo
- Prednisolone tablets
- Combination of benralizumab and steroids
After four weeks, patients treated with benralizumab showed fewer symptoms like wheezing and coughing. Long-term results were also promising, with significantly fewer treatment failures compared to those on prednisolone. Treatment failure included hospitalization, death, or the need for additional medications.
Regional Impact
Respiratory issues like asthma and COPD are particularly common in the Middle East due to dust, sand, and poor air quality. According to Dr. Humam Schakaki of Burjeel Medical City, new treatments like benralizumab offer much-needed hope.
“Many patients here only have access to inhalers or basic anti-inflammatory therapies,” Dr. Schakaki said. “This drug doesn’t require targeting specific cells, making it accessible for more patients.”
Global Respiratory Statistics
Asthma and COPD cause around 3.8 million deaths globally each year. In the UAE, a 2019 study found that nearly 12% of children aged 6-7 and 13-14 had asthma. Triggers like dust, pollen, and respiratory infections often lead to asthma attacks, while COPD results from long-term lung damage caused by smoke or chemicals.
Looking Ahead
Doctors are optimistic about the potential of long-term alternatives like benralizumab. Dr. Schakaki remarked, “Every asthma patient now has the hope of trying these injections as a treatment option.”
While the cost remains a challenge, the breakthrough drug provides new hope for managing chronic respiratory conditions and reducing reliance on traditional steroid treatments.
