Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Managed Care Considerations and Updates on Recent Clinical and Real-World Data

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Managed Care Considerations and Updates on Recent Clinical and Real-World Data

Faculty Presenters

Moderator

Gary M. Owens, MD

President, Gary Owens Associates

Ocean View, Delaware

Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD

Professor of Neurology, Director of ALS Clinic

Duke University Department of Neurology

Durham, North Carolina

Sarah Dehoney, PharmD, BCPS

Clinical Pharmacist

Department of Neurology

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Khalid M. Kamal, MPharm, PhD

Professor and Chair

Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy

Health Sciences Center

West Virginia University School of Pharmacy

Morgantown, West Virginia

Medical Writer

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD

Clinical Instructor

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

Program Description

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating and debilitating disease, presenting with rapid decline in upper and lower motor neurons as well as difficulties swallowing, speaking, and, eventually, breathing. Due to the number of body functions that become compromised as ALS progresses, patients and caregivers must see a number of different specialists, all of whom must be integrated with the multidisciplinary care team. The foremost challenge in ALS is delayed diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Although there is no cure for ALS, 2 drugs are currently FDA approved to slow disease progression, and others in development show promise to stem or reverse disease course. However, the cost of care and potentially curative therapies can accrue to well over a million dollars for patients during the disease course. This discussion among panelists will examine real-world cost and resource utilization data for approved ALS treatments. As more disease-modifying drugs emerge for consideration of ALS treatment, managed care professionals must evaluate benefits versus costs and establish guidelines to make therapy options available for patients.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists, specialty pharmacists, payers, managed care professionals, pharmacy benefit managers

Type of activity: Application

Release date: January 29, 2021

Expiration date: July 29, 2022

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Examine the progressive nature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the prognosis of disease based on stage and patient factors.
• Explore recent real-world and clinical data for disease-modifying agents in the management of ALS. 
• Use updated data when developing evidence-based pathways for the care of patients with ALS.

 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 0290-0000-21-007-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through July 29, 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

Gary M. Owens, MD, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

• Consultant: Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Intersect ENT, Novartis, Regeneron, Sanofi, Eli Lilly

Richard Bedlack, MD, PhD, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

• Grant/Research Support: ALS Association, Healey Center, MediciNova, Orion, Ultragenyx
• Consultant: Alexion, ALS Association, Biogen, Brainstorm, Mallinckrodt, MT Pharma America, New Biotic, Woolsey Pharma

Khalid M. Kamal, MPharm, PhD, and Sarah Dehoney, PharmD, BCPS, have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

C. Andrew Kistler, MD, PharmD, has 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.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Kim Simpson, PharmD; Ann Marciano; Brianna Schauer, MBA, PMP; Susan Pordon; and Brianna Winters have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Disclosure Policy

According to the disclosure policy of The American Journal of Managed Care^® and Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™, all persons who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. If a conflict is identified, it is the responsibility of Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ to initiate a mechanism to resolve the conflict(s). The existence of these relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the activity. All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies reported, and levels of evidence.

Disclosure of Unapproved/Off-Label Use

The contents of this activity may include information regarding the use of products that may be inconsistent with or outside the approved labeling for these products in the United States. Participants should note that the use of these products outside current approved labeling is considered experimental and they are advised to consult prescribing information for these products.

The information provided in this CE activity is for continuing medical and pharmacy education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical or pharmacy judgment of a physician or pharmacist relative to diagnostic, treatment, or management options for a specific patient’s medical condition.

The opinions expressed in the content are solely those of the individual faculty members and do not reflect those of The American Journal of Managed Care^®, Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™, or any of the companies that provided commercial support for this CE activity.

Signed disclosures are on file at the office of The American Journal of Managed Care^®, Cranbury, New Jersey.

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 CPE activity, please contact:

[email protected]

Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Information:

www.pharmacytimes.org/terms