Program Description
Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) may present with shortness of breath or fatigue, which can severely impact their quality of life. The goals of treatment are to improve the patient’s quality of life, and new guidelines for the treatment and management of PAH also emphasize use of combination therapy to reduce risk factors and proactively achieve low-risk status. However, combination therapy remains underutilized among health care professionals, but pharmacists can advocate for the use of these therapies, especially in high-risk patients. This activity will review utilization of combination therapies targeting the prostacyclin, endothelin, and nitric oxide pathways in PAH, as well as investigational drugs targeting the BMPR2 signaling pathway. With several medication classes available, pharmacists will need to be familiar with specific adverse effects and sequential drug therapy as recommended in treatment algorithms. The role of the pharmacist on the multidisciplinary team in providing patient-focused education to incorporate the patient in treatment decisions will also be discussed.
Target audience: Health-system and specialty pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: July 27, 2022
Expiration date: September 27, 2022
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, pharmacists will be able to:
- Apply clinical data of combination therapy regimens into treatment strategies utilized in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
- Explore challenges associated with the management of PAH and the appropriate use of combination therapy
- Document ways a pharmacist may improve adherence, slow disease progression, and optimize outcomes for patients with PAH
At the completion of this activity, pharmacy technicians will be able to:
- Describe the rationale for use of combination therapy regimens in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
- List challenges associated with the management of PAH and the appropriate use of combination therapy
- Recognize opportunities for pharmacy technicians to assist the pharmacist with improving adherence, slowing disease progression, and optimizing outcomes for patients with PAH
Rebekah H. Anguiano, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP
Clinical Coordinator, Specialty Pharmacy Services
University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy
Chicago, Illinois
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 1.0 contact hour (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity numbers 0290-0000-22-294-L01-P and 0290-0000-22-295-L01-T. The activity is available for CE credit through September 27, 2022.
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
Rebekah H. Anguiano, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, has the following relevant financial relationship with a commercial interest to disclose:
Grant/Research Support: Insmed, Inc
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Rose Buszka, PharmD, BCPS; Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
An anonymous peer reviewer was 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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