The biologics act by blocking components of the immune response that play a part in psoriasis. The major advantage of biologics is that the treatment is given by injection and, in general, the side effects appear to be less wide-ranging than with the conventional systemic agents. The main disadvantages are:

• Patients need to learn to self-inject, or be prepared to spend time in hospital at regular intervals for intravenous (IV) infusions
• The long-term effects of these agents are as yet unknown.

Guidance on the use of biologic agents is set out in NICE Technology Appraisals 103, 134, 146 and 180. A Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) recommendation for use of secukinumab on the NHS was released by NICE in June.