Biopharmaceuticals Interview ANSWERS

Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 5

Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF GENERAL TRIAS CITY
LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
GEN. TRIAS CITY, CAVITE
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INTERVIEW ANSWERS
Name of Interviewee: Mr. Edel G. Villanueva
Name of Interviewers: Kathlene Lehana C. Cabacas and Ivan James M. Camigla
Date: April 17, 2023

1. How will you define biopharmaceuticals? Can you relate it to your profession as a pharmacist?

Biopharmaceuticals are drugs that are derived from living organisms, including cells, tissues, and biological
molecules such as proteins, peptides, and antibodies. These drugs are designed to treat various medical
conditions and diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. Biopharmaceuticals
are produced through a complex process that involves genetic engineering, cell culture, and purification, and
they are typically administered via injection or infusion. They are also known as biologics, biologic drugs, or
biological products.

As a pharmacist, it is important to understand biopharmaceuticals because they are becoming increasingly


common in modern medicine. Biopharmaceuticals are often used to treat complex and serious medical
conditions that were previously difficult or impossible to treat with traditional small molecule drugs.

As a pharmacist, you may be involved in dispensing biopharmaceuticals and ensuring that patients receive the
correct dosage and administration instructions. You may also be responsible for monitoring patients for any
adverse reactions or side effects, as well as ensuring that any necessary precautions are taken to prevent
contamination or degradation of the biopharmaceutical.

Furthermore, because biopharmaceuticals are often more expensive than traditional drugs, you may need to
work with insurance companies or other payers to ensure that patients can afford their medications. You may
also need to educate patients about their treatment options, including the benefits and risks associated with
biopharmaceuticals

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
CITY OF GEN. TRIAS, CAVITE
342285@deped.gov.ph
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF GENERAL TRIAS CITY
LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
GEN. TRIAS CITY, CAVITE
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the use of biopharmaceuticals in human development? What is its function/s?

Biopharmaceuticals are drugs that are produced using biotechnology, such as recombinant DNA technology,
to develop proteins that are similar to those naturally found in the human body. These drugs can be used to
treat a wide range of diseases and conditions, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and genetic diseases.

Biopharmaceuticals have several advantages over traditional chemical drugs. Because they are derived from
living organisms, they are highly specific and targeted, which means they can be designed to interact with a
specific molecule or receptor in the body. This allows for a more precise treatment approach, with fewer side
effects and greater efficacy.

Some examples of biopharmaceuticals include monoclonal antibodies, which are used to treat cancer and
autoimmune disorders, and recombinant proteins, which are used to treat genetic diseases like hemophilia.

Overall, biopharmaceuticals have revolutionized the field of medicine and have significantly improved the
treatment of many diseases and conditions. They continue to play a critical role in human development and
the advancement of medical science.

3. What are the types of biopharmaceuticals? Can you give some examples of biopharmaceuticals

Monoclonal antibodies: These are proteins that are designed to bind to specific targets in the body, such as
cancer cells or inflammatory molecules. Some examples of monoclonal antibodies include:

Rituximab (Rituxan): used to treat non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and rheumatoid
arthritis.
Trastuzumab (Herceptin): used to treat HER2-positive breast cancer.
Adalimumab (Humira): used to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and
Crohn's disease.

Recombinant proteins: These are proteins that are produced using recombinant DNA technology. Examples of
recombinant proteins include:

Insulin: used to treat diabetes.


Erythropoietin (EPO): used to treat anemia in patients with kidney failure.
Factor VIII: used to treat hemophilia A.
Vaccines: These are biopharmaceuticals that stimulate the immune system to produce an immune response
against a specific disease. Some examples of vaccines include:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
CITY OF GEN. TRIAS, CAVITE
342285@deped.gov.ph
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF GENERAL TRIAS CITY
LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
GEN. TRIAS CITY, CAVITE
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: used to prevent HPV infections that can lead to cervical cancer.
Influenza vaccine: used to prevent the flu.
COVID-19 vaccine: used to prevent COVID-19 infections.

Gene therapy: This is a type of biopharmaceutical that involves introducing genetic material into a patient's
cells to treat or prevent disease. Examples of gene therapy include:

Luxturna: used to treat a rare genetic form of blindness.


Zolgensma: used to treat spinal muscular atrophy.
Kymriah: used to treat certain types of leukemia and lymphoma.
Overall, biopharmaceuticals represent a diverse and rapidly evolving field of medicine that offers many
promising treatment options for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

4. Are there any precautionary measures in conducting biopharmaceuticals?

When conducting biopharmaceuticals, it is important to take several precautionary measures to ensure safety
and effectiveness. Some of the key measures include:

Adherence to regulatory guidelines: Biopharmaceuticals are highly regulated and must undergo rigorous
testing and evaluation to ensure their safety and efficacy. Researchers must comply with regulatory guidelines
and adhere to ethical standards to protect human subjects and ensure that the data generated is accurate and
reliable.

Appropriate laboratory and manufacturing facilities: Biopharmaceuticals are often produced using living cells,
which can be sensitive to environmental conditions. Researchers must work in appropriate laboratory and
manufacturing facilities that are designed to maintain the necessary conditions for cell growth and production.

Quality control and testing: Biopharmaceuticals must be tested extensively to ensure their purity, potency, and
safety. Quality control measures must be in place throughout the manufacturing process to ensure that the
final product meets all regulatory requirements.

Adverse event monitoring: Adverse events, such as allergic reactions or side effects, can occur with
biopharmaceuticals. Researchers must monitor patients closely and report any adverse events to regulatory
agencies to ensure that appropriate action is taken to protect patient safety.

Proper disposal: Biopharmaceutical waste must be handled and disposed of properly to minimize
environmental impact and protect public health.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
CITY OF GEN. TRIAS, CAVITE
342285@deped.gov.ph
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF GENERAL TRIAS CITY
LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
GEN. TRIAS CITY, CAVITE
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Overall, conducting biopharmaceuticals requires strict adherence to regulatory guidelines and the
implementation of appropriate safety measures to ensure that these promising therapies can be developed and
delivered safely and effectively.

5. What are the advantages of using biopharmaceuticals? What benefits can we gain from it? (advantages na may
benefits pa redundant suggestion: what is the advantage and benefit of biopharmaceutical?)

Targeted and specific: Biopharmaceuticals are highly targeted and specific in their action, which means that
they can be designed to interact with a specific molecule or receptor in the body. This allows for a more
precise treatment approach, with fewer side effects and greater efficacy.

High potency: Biopharmaceuticals are often highly potent, which means that they can be effective in very
small doses. This can reduce the amount of drug needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, which can
minimize the risk of side effects and improve patient outcomes.

Reduced immunogenicity: Biopharmaceuticals are derived from living organisms and are often less
immunogenic than traditional chemical drugs. This means that they may be less likely to trigger an immune
response in the body, which can reduce the risk of adverse reactions and increase patient safety.

Versatile: Biopharmaceuticals can be used to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions, including cancer,
autoimmune disorders, and genetic diseases. They offer a versatile treatment option that can be tailored to the
needs of individual patients.

6. Do you see any harm in the execution of biopharmaceuticals? What are the disadvantages of using it? ( What
is the disadvantage or harm in execution of biopharmaceuticals?)

While biopharmaceuticals offer many advantages, there are also potential disadvantages or harms associated
with their use. These can include:

EDEL VILLANUEVA

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
CITY OF GEN. TRIAS, CAVITE
342285@deped.gov.ph
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region IV-A CALABARZON
DIVISION OF GENERAL TRIAS CITY
LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
GEN. TRIAS CITY, CAVITE
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Cost: Biopharmaceuticals can be expensive to develop and produce, which can make them more costly than
traditional chemical drugs. This can limit access to these treatments for some patients, particularly in
developing countries or for those without adequate health insurance coverage.

Immunogenicity: While biopharmaceuticals are generally less immunogenic than traditional chemical drugs,
they can still trigger an immune response in some patients. This can lead to allergic reactions, autoimmune
disorders, or other adverse events.

Stability and storage: Biopharmaceuticals are often more sensitive to environmental conditions than
traditional chemical drugs, which can make them more difficult to store and transport. They may require
specialized storage conditions, such as refrigeration or freezing, which can add to their cost and complexity.

Manufacturing complexity: Biopharmaceuticals are often produced using living cells, which can be more
complex and difficult to manufacture than traditional chemical drugs. This can increase the cost and time
required for development and production, and can limit the availability of these treatments.

Regulatory challenges: Biopharmaceuticals are subject to extensive regulatory oversight, which can add to the
time and cost required for development and approval. This can limit the number of new treatments that are
brought to market and delay patient access to these therapies.

Overall, while biopharmaceuticals offer many advantages over traditional chemical drugs, their use is not
without potential disadvantages or harms. Careful consideration of these factors is important to ensure that
these treatments are used safely and effectively for the benefit of patients.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LUIS Y. FERRER JR. SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL


SOUTH SQUARE VILLAGE, PASONG KAWAYAN II,
CITY OF GEN. TRIAS, CAVITE
342285@deped.gov.ph

You might also like