My journey began with a diagnosis in December 2002. At that time, my vision became impaired for three months and I was told I had lupus. Since then, I began to alter my life for the road ahead. My mission was clear and now I work daily as the founder and president of the nonprofit Lupus of Nevada, Inc., to educate and encourage those suffering from this autoimmune disease.
As an organization, we’ve had great success reaching out to communities across Nevada offering support, advocacy and education. While our focus is largely on patients with lupus, we try to meet the needs of those suffering with a variety of autoimmune diseases.
We have learned that communication is key to helping patients know what treatment options are available and to help them ask informed questions about their health.
Many of us have found relief through biologic therapies — medicines derived from living cells as opposed to chemical compounds. Unlike medicines made from chemical compounds, biologics cannot be replicated exactly. Copies of these drugs, unlike generics, are similar to the original biological medication but not identical. Therefore, patients may respond differently to a biosimilar than they would to the original biologic prescribed by the physician. For the patient’s safety, it is imperative the pharmacist communicate to the physician exactly which biologic they dispensed.
These new biosimilars, while approved by Federal Drug Administration, need special attention at the state level with legislation that includes a clear communication component.
This year, Nevada lawmakers will be asked to consider legislation that allows for the use of biosimilars. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Assembly Majority Floor Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson, D-Reno, can help minimize the risk of adverse effects for the patient through prescriber-pharmacist communication in the event that a biosimilar drug is substituted for a biologic.
We are eager to open the doors to what science might offer. We see real hope in biosimilars.
This legislation will put Nevada in league with the dozens of states that already have seen fit to provide a way for patients to safely access more treatment options.
It will bring hope and God willing, much needed relief for those of us suffering from devastating diseases.
Calvinia Williams, D.D., is a chaplain and the founder and president of Lupus of Nevada.