HIV Therapy: Addressing Unanswered Questions to Optimize Care

Program Description

HIV affects individuals in vastly different ways. A new diagnosis requires a series of steps that must be made prior to the initiation of therapy, including analysis of medications and physical standings as well as medication resistance testing. Additionally, as treatment progresses, various monitoring practices should be employed to ensure the efficacy and safety of treatment, including the development of adverse effects and comorbid conditions. Antiretroviral therapy may also require modification if there is inadequate virologic suppression. Barriers to HIV care include socioeconomic status, physical condition, and response to medication. HIV care must be individualized and thoroughly understood for best results, and pharmacists are in an ideal position for optimizing care for persons with HIV. They can keenly assess individuals’ conditions and their medications and make necessary therapy adjustments or recommendations. Pharmacists can also use opportunities for communication to enhance understanding and attention to care. This activity will equip pharmacists to be aware of possible barriers to care and actively work to address them and improve upon them to encourage more inclusive practices in caring for persons with HIV.

Target audience: Community pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: October 5, 2022
Expiration date: October 5, 2023

Time to complete activity: 2.5 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Explain initiation and monitoring of antiretroviral therapy for both treatment experienced and treatment-naïve people living with HIV
• Examine potential reasons to switch HIV treatment in the setting of virologic suppression
• Investigate the impact of implicit racial bias, weight gain, and tolerability as barriers to care
• Demonstrate best practices for inclusive HIV care

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 2.5 contact hour (0.25 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-22-506-H02-P. The activity is available for CE credit through October 5, 2023.

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

Faculty

Jerika T. Lam, PharmD, APh, AAHIVP, FCSHP, has the following relevant financial relationship with a commercial interest to disclose:

• Advisory Board: ViiV Healthcare

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP; Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times^® Editorial Staff—Davy James

Anonymous peer reviewers were part of the content validation and conflict resolution and 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.

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[email protected]
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