Program Description
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease that causes degeneration of motor neurons and progressive muscle weakness, affecting patients’ ability to move, swallow, and breathe. Management of SMA consisted primarily of supportive care with specialized equipment, physical and occupational therapy, and other expert care to maintain patient quality of life; however, associated costs can be astronomical. Use of disease-modifying therapies have the potential to change existing treatment protocols, normalize development, and increase survival. Managed care pharmacists should be aware of emerging therapies for SMA to improve patient outcomes and reduce associated burdens. This activity will educate pharmacists on the importance of early diagnosis and access to disease-modifying therapies to assist patients with SMA in gaining access to effective treatment.
Target audience: Managed care pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: August 31, 2023
Expiration date: August 31, 2024
Time to complete activity: 2.0 hours
Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Explore the disease and treatment burden impacting quality of life for patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
- Demonstrate how emerging disease-modifying therapies can be effectively implemented into the current treatment paradigm for SMA utilizing their safety and efficacy data.
- Examine the financial burden of SMA on patients and how managed care professionals can facilitate early and effective treatment to alleviate these challenges.
John Brandsema, MD
Neuromuscular Section Head
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Scott Mazza, PharmD, MS, RPh
Director of Pharmacy Services
CDRX Infusion
Boca Raton, Florida
Clinical Pharmacist
Select Specialty Hospital Palm Beach
Lake Worth, Florida
Debra Gordon, MS
President
GordonSquared, Inc
Miriam Opara, PharmD
Pharmacy Manager
Meijer Pharmacy
Three Rivers, Michigan
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 0290-0000-23-326-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through August 31, 2024.
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
Faculty
John Brandsema, MD, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose: Grant/Research Support: Alexin, Astellas, AveXis/Novartis, Biogen, CSL Behring, Fibrogen, Genentech/Roche, Janssen, Pfizer, PTC Therapeutics, Sarepta, and Scholar Rock
Consultant: Alexion, AveXis/Novartis, Biogen, Dyne, Edgewise, Genentech/Roche, Janssen, PTC Therapeutics, Sarepta, and Takeda
Medical Writing and Editorial Support
Debra Gordon, MS, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose: Stock: Merck, Organon, AbbVie
The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:
Faculty
Scott Mazza, PharmD, MS, RPh
Medical Writing and Editorial Support
Miriam Opara, PharmD
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Michelle C. Carlson, PharmD; Karleen Rush, PharmD; Angelica Archibald; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta; and Rebecca Green 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.
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 internet CPE activity, please contact:
[email protected]
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