Access to Early and Effective Treatment in Sickle Cell Disease: The Role of New Therapies to Meet Unmet Needs in Care
Global Blood Therapeutics.
Faculty Presenters
Ryan Bitton, PharmD, MBA
Senior Director, Pharmacy Services
Health Plan of Nevada/Sierra Health and Life
UnitedHealthcare
Las Vegas, Nevada
Lametra Scott, PharmD
Executive Director
Breaking The SSickle Cell Cycle Foundation, Inc.
Nashville, Tennessee
Program Description
Sickle cell disease (SCD) occurs by a mutation in the β globin gene that affects normal production of hemoglobin in red blood cells. It is difficult for mutated, C-shaped hemoglobin blood cells to move within blood vessels and transport oxygen, causing damage to organs, infection, and other life-threatening complications that can result in hospitalizations and significantly reduced quality of life for patients. Previous treatment strategies have focused on managing and preventing acute symptoms, but new disease-modifying therapies have the potential to reduce hospitalizations and associated disease burden. However, with lifetime costs of care for an adult patient with SCD estimated at $1 million, these positive outcomes present additional challenges for managed care professionals as pediatric patients with SCD transition into adulthood. Pharmacists are essential members of the multidisciplinary care team and should be involved discussions with managed care professionals surrounding healthcare resource utilization and implementing strategies to manage lifelong complications in the care of patients with SCD. This activity will further explore their important roles in the management of patients with SCD from determining appropriate use of newly approved treatments to ensuring adherence and recommending dose adjustments that limit disease progression and associated complications to optimize cost-effective treatment for patients with SCD.
Target audience: Specialty and managed care pharmacists, managed care payers, pharmacy directors, pharmacy benefit managers, specialty pharmacy directors, and any other pharmacist and/or healthcare professional interested in treatment of or involved in the care of patients with sickle cell disease.
Type of activity: Application
Release date: October 30, 2020
Expiration date: April 30, 2022
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Examine sickle cell disease pathophysiology; common comorbidities and consequences, including organ damage; and current unmet needs in care
- Review current standards of care for sickle cell disease and current challenges in treatment
- Explore newly approved treatments for sickle cell disease including their safety and efficacy data
- Identify costs associated with sickle cell disease including hospitalizations, long-term organ damage, and the cost of lifelong care
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 0290-0000-20-328-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 30, 2022.
Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the webcast 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
Lametra Scott, PharmD, has the following relevant financial relationship with commercial interest to disclose:
Consultant: Emmaus Life Sciences
Ryan Bitton, PharmD, MBA, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Kim Simpson, PharmD; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; and Brianna Winters have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
Anonymous peer reviewers are 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.
For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
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