Addressing Unmet Needs in the Treatment of Schizophrenia: The Role of the Pharmacist

On-Demand Accredited Online Article

This activity is supported by an educational grant from
Alkermes, Inc

Faculty

Lindsey Miller, PharmD, BCPP
Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice
Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Clinical Pharmacist
Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital
Nashville, TN

Medical Writer for Video Vignette Scripts

Amy Moll, PharmD, CCP, RPh
Consultant Pharmacist
The Rasa Group
Ringwood, NJ

Staff Pharmacist
Walgreens
Brick, NJ

Program Description
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by a variety of symptoms that negatively affect patients’ mental and emotional behavior. Current treatment options include first- and second-generation antipsychotics that primarily target positive symptoms of disease through dopamine modulation, but treatment challenges persist. At present, available therapies for schizophrenia have limited efficacy and are associated with a multitude of adverse effects, particularly related to movement disorders and cardiometabolic dysregulation. These issues indicate a need for agents with new mechanisms of action to address patients’ negative symptoms and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia in addition to positive symptoms. With their knowledge of available antipsychotics, pharmacists should be equipped to use information on efficacy, safety, dosing, and administration to provide solutions for patients and caregivers and address treatment challenges. This activity will review the updated clinical practice guidelines in schizophrenia, offering guidance on patient assessment, pharmacologic treatment, and psychosocial support.

Please click here to view patient counseling video vignettes.

Target Audience: Retail pharmacists
Type of Activity: Application
Release date: June 15, 2021
Expiration date: June 15, 2022
Time to complete activity: 2.0 hours
Fee: Free

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

Classify the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical impact, and treatment challenges associated with schizophrenia
Examine clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia, including the potential role of new and emerging therapies in the therapeutic landscape
Illustrate the role of the pharmacist in optimizing care for patients with schizophrenia

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 2.0 contact hours (0.20 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-21-213-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through June 15, 2022.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, read the article 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

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

Faculty
Lindsey Miller, PharmD, BCPP

Medical Writer
Amy Moll, PharmD, CCP, RPh

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Liz Rauh; Susan Pordon; and Brianna Winters have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

An anonymous peer reviewer is 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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