Improving Economic and Quality of Life Burden in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Review of Clinical Data and Strategies to Slow Progression

Improving Economic and Quality of Life Burden in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Review of Clinical Data and Strategies to Slow Progression

 
Faculty

Deborah Jo Levine, MD, FCCP
Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care
Director of Pulmonary Hypertension
University of Texas Health
San Antonio, Texas

Stormi Gale, PharmD, BCCP, BCPS
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Baltimore, Maryland

Douglas S. Burgoyne, PharmD, FAMCP
Adjunct Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacotherapy
University of Utah College of Pharmacy
Salt Lake City, Utah

Medical Writing and Editorial Support

Brittany Hoffmann-Eubanks, PharmD, MBA
Owner
Banner Medical, LLC
Frankfort, Illinois

Marielle Fares, PharmD, BCGP
Science Notes, LLC
Washington, District of Columbia

Jenna Wood, PharmD
Clinical Pharmacist
Columbus, Ohio
 

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Program Description
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, progressive disorder with currently unknown etiology. Initial symptoms are often nonspecific and include shortness of breath and fatigue, with some patients experiencing these symptoms for more than 2 years prior to receiving a diagnosis. As PAH progresses, these symptoms may become more severe and occur for patients at rest, making early recognition of symptoms and early diagnosis imperative among healthcare providers. Current treatment goals include symptom management and maintaining patient quality of life, so clinicians should be familiar with goal-directed therapy as well as tests and risk assessment tools to monitor prognosis, treatment, and disease progression in PAH. Multiple classes of agents are used in PAH treatment, and some have been investigated as combination therapy; however, pharmacists should be aware that certain combinations should be avoided due to increased adverse effects. These therapies are associated with significant cost burden for patients and the healthcare system, giving managed care pharmacists a significant opportunity to reduce costs and facilitate access of these medications. Mismanagement of patients with PAH stemming from delayed diagnosis is a main concern for managed care professionals, so ensuring consistent application of guideline recommendations is important to the PAH treatment paradigm.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists
Activity type: Application
Release date: March 10, 2021
Expiration date:  March 10, 2022
Estimated time to complete activity: 3.0 hours
Fee: Free

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

• Classify the pathophysiology, etiology, prognosis, and quality of life burden associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
• Explore the current treatment landscape, updated safety and efficacy data, and new and emerging therapies for PAH.
• Identify the costs associated with PAH and opportunities to slow progression and improve outcomes in this patient population.

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 3.0 contact hours (0.30 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-21-079-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through March 10, 2022.


This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC and Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™. Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC, designates this enduring material for a maximum of 3.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physicians’ Education Resource®, LLC, is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #16669, for 3.0 Contact Hours.

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

Physicians and nurses seeking credit are encouraged to complete this activity with our partner, Physicians Education Resource®, at https://www.gotoper.com/online-cme-activities/ptce/ptce-pah21.
 

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Disclosures

Faculty
Deborah Jo Levine, MD, FCCP; Stormi Gale, PharmD, BCCP, BCPS; and Douglas S. Burgoyne, PharmD, FAMCP, have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Medical Writing & Editorial Support
Brittany Hoffmann-Eubanks, PharmD, MBA; Marielle Fares, PharmD, BCGP; and Jenna Wood, PharmD, 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; Rose Namissa, PharmD, BCPS; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; and Brianna Winters have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

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.

For questions about this CPE activity, please contact:
ceinfo@pharmacytimes.com
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