Addressing Unmet Needs and Treatment Gaps in the Clinical Management of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Practical Strategies for Pharmacists in Specialty and Managed Care Settings

This activity was originally presented at the 2023 Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit.

Program Description

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in patients aged 65 years and older, and it is expected to account for 288 million cases worldwide in 2040. The goal of treatment is to slow disease progression and prevent severe visual impairment or blindness. Prevention and early detection of AMD have become central to successful patient-focused care and improved visual outcomes. Choice of an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent should be based on a discussion between a patient and physician and account for patient preferences and experienced clinical challenges. New agents are emerging to address treatment burden and existing limitations of current therapies by improving the durability of treatment response. As this market grows with the addition of new agents, pharmacists will continue to have an active role in providing advice and treatment recommendations for patients with nAMD. This program will review various strategies that managed care and specialty pharmacists can use to evaluate and select the best treatment options for individual patients in collaboration with the health care team.

Target audience: Specialty pharmacists and managed care pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: May 17, 2023
Expiration date: May 17, 2024

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

Learner level: Foundational
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Identify risk factors and clinical challenges, including the role of screening, that impact the burden of disease in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)
• Explain the mechanism of action of therapies that are used to manage nAMD
• Analyze current evidence evaluating the role of approved therapies for the treatment of nAMD
• Implement strategies to increase treatment access and improve patient outcomes for patients diagnosed with nAMD

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 0290-0000-23-209-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through May 17, 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

Melanie Manis, PharmD, BCPS, and Natalie M. Ryan, PharmD, BCPP, CSP, MPh, have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff: Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP; Michelle C. Carlson, PharmD; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

An anonymous peer reviewer has been used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has 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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