Addressing Unmet Needs in the Management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: The Role of Specialty Pharmacists

Addressing Unmet Needs in the Management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: The Role of Specialty Pharmacists

On-Demand 1.5-hour Accredited Webcast

Faculty Presenters

Steven Nathan, MD
Medical Director
Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Program
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Falls Church, Virginia

Melanie Radi, PharmD, CSP
Manager, Clinical Programs – Specialty Clinical Services
AllianceRx Walgreens Prime
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 
Program Description
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) experience shortness of breath and fatigue stemming from fibrosis impacting the lungs’ ability to transport oxygen to the bloodstream. In addition to causing a reduction in quality of life, IPF imparts a significant economic burden on patients, caregivers, and the health care system. Much of this stems from gaps in treatment, including underdiagnosis and underutilization of effective drug therapies for this progressive condition. Currently, 2 drugs are approved for management of IPF symptoms, nintedanib and pirfenidone, though additional emerging therapies for IPF are in late-stage clinical trials. Despite the significant evidence base establishing their efficacy and safety in IPF treatment, studies regarding the prescribing patterns of nintedanib and pirfenidone in real-world settings indicate that these agents are underutilized in the United States. This activity will investigate the real-world data supporting the use of nintedanib and pirfenidone and address ways that specialty pharmacists can optimize treatment for patients, including addressing barriers related to access, providing patient education, and monitoring therapy.

Target Audience: Managed care and specialty pharmacists
Type of Activity: Application
Release date: May 18, 2021
Expiration date: May 18, 2022
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

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

• Explain the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, and diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
• Compare current and emerging therapies for IPF, including mechanism of action and data regarding safety and efficacy in clinical trials and real-world settings
• Identify the role of the managed care and specialty pharmacist in supporting appropriate medication use for agents approved to slow disease progression in IPF

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 0290-0000-21-210-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through May 18, 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.
 

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Disclosures

Steven Nathan, MD, has the following financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

• Advisory Board Member: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bellerophon, Galapagos, Roche, Third Pole, United Therapeutics
• Consultant: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Bellerophon, United Therapeutics
• Speakers Bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim; Roche-Genentech

Melanie Radi, PharmD, CSP, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Medical Writing Support
Monica Shah, PharmD, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Michelle C. Carlson, PharmD, RPh; Kelly McCormick; 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:
[email protected]
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