Emerging role of biologic therapies in COPD management
| Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
| 4:00 PM - 4:20 PM |
| Ballroom |
Overview
Debbie Rigby
Details
Synopsis
Despite optimisation of inhaled therapies, many people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continue to experience exacerbations and disease burden, prompting interest in targeted biologic therapies. This presentation will explore the emerging role of biologics in COPD management. Current clinical trial evidence will be reviewed, with emphasis on efficacy, safety, and patient selection. Practical considerations for pharmacists will be highlighted, including identifying suitable candidates, interpreting biomarkers, and positioning biologics alongside existing COPD therapies within multidisciplinary care and evolving models of precision medicine.
Learning objectives
- Describe the key inflammatory pathways and COPD endotypes that underpin the rationale for biologic therapies.
- Evaluate current evidence for biologic therapies in COPD, including efficacy, safety, and limitations of available clinical trial data.
- Discuss practical integration of biologic use in COPD and integration with multidisciplinary care.
Competency Standards (2016): 1.6, 3.3, 3.5
Speaker
Debbie Rigby
Advanced Practice Pharmacist
Pharmeducation
Emerging Role of Biologic Therapies in COPD Management
Biography
Debbie Rigby is an Advanced Practice Pharmacist with postgraduate qualifications in clinical pharmacy, geriatrics and respiratory medicine. Debbie’s career as a pharmacist has been across many roles, including community and hospital pharmacy, academia, education, policy and advocacy, government and committee representation and has been involved in every aspect of the evolution of medication reviews in Australia. She currently conducts Home Medicine Reviews and provides medicines education through her company Pharmeducation. Debbie is the Clinical Executive Lead for the National Asthma Council Australia and PSA Consultant Pharmacist Advisor.
