Association of Atopic Dermatitis With Alopecia Areata: Targeting the Janus Kinase Pathway and the Managed Care Considerations

Program Description
Management of atopic dermatitis (AD) and alopecia areata (AA) can present challenges for managed care pharmacists. Though topical and systemic therapies are standard, many patients continue to experience substantial adverse effects associated with these therapies as well as significant disease burden affecting overall quality of life. An emerging class of agents, the Janus associated kinase (JAK) inhibitors, have received approval for treatment of specific skin diseases, such as psoriatic arthritis, and are currently under investigation for AD and AA treatment as well. As clinical data surrounding the use of JAK inhibitors emerge, managed care pharmacists will be tasked with incorporating these new agents into treatment paradigms of AD and AA. In addition to examining recent clinical data surrounding use of JAK inhibitors, the role of managed care pharmacists in using evidence-based protocols to identify patient response to therapy and facilitate access to cost-effective care will be discussed.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: January 31, 2022
Expiration date: January 31, 2023

Time to complete activity: 2.0 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Explain the overlapping management for atopic dermatitis (AD) and alopecia areata (AA) as chronic, inflammatory skin diseases, the burden of disease, and the associated comorbidities.
• Analyze the current treatment recommendations and place in therapy for new and emerging Janus associated kinase (JAK) inhibitors for the treatment of AD and AA.
• Lay out the managed care considerations for the development of formularies and clinical treatment protocols that integrate evidence-based treatments, including new JAK inhibitors, for patients with AD and AA.

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 0290-0000-22-036-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through January 31, 2023.

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

Dana McCormick, PharmD

Medical Writing and Editorial Support

Lori Uildriks, PharmD, BCPS, BCGP

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Karleen Melody, PharmD; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta

Anonymous peer reviewers were used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers 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.

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