Increasing Pharmacists Awareness About Influenza Antivirals: Safety and Efficacy Data for Prevention and Treatment

Increasing Pharmacists’ Awareness About Influenza Antivirals: Safety and Efficacy Data for Prevention and Treatment

Faculty Presenters

Brandon Bookstaver, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, FIDSA
Associate Professor & Director of Residency Training
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
Infectious Diseases Pharmacist & ID PGY2 Residency Program
Director
Prisma Health Richland
Columbia, South Carolina

Chris Bland, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS
Clinical Associate Professor
Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
St. Joseph's/Candler Health System
Savannah, Georgia

Medical Writer for Patient Counseling Videos

Sneha Srivastava, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, DipACLM
Department of Pharmacy Practice
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy
North Chicago, Illinois
Clinical Pharmacist
Lake County Health Department
Waukegan, Illinois
 
Program Description
Symptoms of influenza can range from mild fatigue to respiratory failure requiring hospitalization, which can be fatal among both adults and children. Seasonal outbreaks and epidemics occur worldwide, posing significant threats to public health and economic burden to society. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, early recognition of symptoms as influenza is key to timely initiation of antivirals and easing patient fears about complications. Treatment with antiviral medications have shown to reduce severity of illness, lessen duration of disease, and prevent influenza-related complications in high-risk patient populations. Expanded approvals of antiviral agents for the 2020-2021 influenza season will be reviewed. Pharmacists are essential in identifying patients at higher risk of severe disease and engaging them in discussion about transmission, symptoms, and ways to reduce the spread of influenza. To ensure pharmacists are providing patients with the most up-to-date information, this session will enable them to be familiar with guidelines from leading organizations regarding use of antiviral therapy with the use of patient counseling video vignettes.

Target Audience: Health-system and retail pharmacists
Type of Activity: Application
Release date: March 30, 2021
Expiration date: March 30, 2022
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free


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

• Identify the patient populations at greater risk for influenza-related complications.
• Differentiate the current CDC, IDSA, and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for the use of antivirals in the 2020-2021 influenza season.
• Examine the clinical data regarding the safety and efficacy of available antivirals for prevention and treatment of the influenza virus.
• Illustrate the roles of health-system and retail pharmacists in making clinical recommendations and in educating patients about antivirals recommended for the 2020-2021 influenza season.

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 0290-0000-21-129-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through March 30, 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.
 

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Disclosures

Faculty

Christopher M. Bland, PharmD, FCCP, FIDSA, BCPS, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

P. Brandon Bookstaver, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, FIDSA, has the following relevant financial relationship with a commercial interest to disclose:
•           Research Advisor: Kedrion Biopharma

Medical Writing Support

Sneha Baxi Srivastava, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, DipACLM, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

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

An anonymous peer reviewer is 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.

For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
[email protected]
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