Improving Visual Acuity and Patient Adherence in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Review of Novel and Emerging Therapies for Specialty Pharmacists
On-Demand 1.5-hour Accredited Webcast
This activity is supported by educational grants from
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, and Regeneron.
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, and Regeneron.
Faculty Presenters
Dilsher S. Dhoot, MD
Vitreoretinal Surgeon
California Retina Consultants
Retina Consultants of America
Santa Barbara, California
Yuqian Liu, PharmD, RPh
Director, Specialty Clinical Solutions
Magellan Rx Management
Middletown, Rhode Island
Medical Writing Support
Jeannette Y. Wick, RPh, MBA, FASCP
Freelance Medical Writer
Arlington, Virginia
Assistant Director, Office of Pharmacy Professional Development
University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy
Storrs, Connecticut
Program Description
Neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is associated with central vision loss leading to severe visual impairment and blindness. In fact, nAMD is the leading cause of blindness in Americans older than 60 years of age. While the exact cause of nAMD is unknown, several risk factors such as smoking, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and family history contribute to its development. The introduction of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents has expanded treatment options to preserve patients’ vision. While effective in preserving visual acuity, anti-VEGF agents remain underutilized and adherence rates to therapy are lower than ideal, with more than 50% of patients with nAMD discontinuing therapy within 2 years. This activity will provide managed care and specialty pharmacists with an up-to-date review of currently available agents as well as the status of agents in development with the potential to expand the treatment landscape. Managed care and specialty pharmacists have an important role in ensuring access to anti-VEGF therapies, and it is crucial to understand the utility of these therapies in the real world.
Target Audience: Managed care and specialty pharmacists
Type of Activity: Application
Release date: May 24, 2021
Expiration date: May 24, 2022
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Characterize the incidence, risk factors, and burdens associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)
- Examine clinical efficacy and safety, dosage regimens, and unique characteristics of current and emerging anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents for nAMD
- Explore the need for novel therapies to improve patient adherence
- Identify the role of managed care and specialty pharmacists in improving access to treatment, cost-effectiveness, and clinical outcomes of anti-VEGF therapies
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 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-21-207-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through May 24, 2022.Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the webcast 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
Dilsher S. Dhoot, MD, has the following financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:
- Consultant: Alimera Sciences, Allergan, Allegro, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc, Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Novartis, Regeneron, Santen
- Speakers Bureau: Alimera Sciences, Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Novartis, Regeneron
- Stock/Shareholder: Vortex Surgical
Yuqian Liu, PharmD, RPh, has no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
Medical Writing Support
Jeannette Y. Wick, RPh, MBA, FASCP, has no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Rose Namissa, PharmD, BCPS; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; and Brianna Winters have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
Anonymous peer reviewers are 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.
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