A Managed Care Focus on Assessing the Armamentarium for Multiple Sclerosis to Better Individualize Treatment

This activity was originally broadcast live at AJMC® Day of Education Spring 2023.

Program Description

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system characterized by plaque or lesion formation that damages cells. Patients may experience symptoms such as vision loss and limb weakness, eventually leading to severe disability and high burden of disease and health-related costs. The treatment of MS presents many challenges as symptoms may initially be nonspecific, leading to misdiagnoses or delayed diagnosis. Currently, there are no medications approved to fully prevent or reverse symptoms. This program will focus on recent clinical updates for orally administered disease-modifying therapies in reducing the severity of MS symptoms, limiting relapse, and slowing disability progression. Managed care strategies to promote individualization of therapy selection through effective value-based care strategies that facilitate early treatment, support appropriate medication selection and adherence, and reduce economic burden of patients with MS will also be discussed.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: April 27, 2023
Expiration date: April 27, 2024

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Examine the latest understanding of the mechanism of disease and the challenges faced by patients and the health care team when treating and managing multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Identify the various classifications of MS and the challenges and burden associated with delayed and misdiagnosis
• Investigate recent updates to treatment recommendations and clinical trial data for available and emerging therapies in the treatment of MS
• Explore managed care opportunities to guide treatment selection in MS to optimize medication utilization and patient outcomes

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-23-186-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 27, 2024.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

Amy M. Lugo, PharmD, BCPS, BC-ADM, FAPhA, has the following financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

• Consultant: CEO of consulting company, consultant for Mirum Pharma

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Faculty

Erica Marini, PharmD, MS, BCPS

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Karleen Melody, PharmD; Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta.

Anonymous peer reviewers were used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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[email protected]
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