Looking at Patient-Centered Care in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema Through a Value-Based Lens

This activity was originally presented at the 2026 PBMI Annual Drug Benefit Conference.

Program Description

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) contribute to significant clinical and financial burden for affected patients. These conditions are leading causes of visual impairment, and without consistent intervention, progressive vision loss also impairs patients’ quality of life. While anti-VEGF intravitreal injections remain the cornerstone of therapy, there are documented gaps between the efficacy achieved in clinical trials and the visual outcomes observed in real-world practice. This disparity is heavily driven by frequent injection and follow-up schedules, travel limitations, and significant injection anxiety, which contribute to improper medication use and undertreatment.

This session explores the established role of VEGF and angiopoietin/Tie2 pathways, alongside traditional protocols and evolving treatment paradigms like fixed, as needed, and treat-and-extend dosing. The discussion will incorporate emerging long-acting and multipathway therapies, and the port delivery system, with the goals of safely extending dosing intervals and alleviating the physical burden of care. Actionable managed care drug utilization strategies will be reviewed, and participants will explore how to design robust adherence support programs and streamline specialty pharmacy processes to implement patient-centric interventions. The session will also address operational workflows, with examples demonstrating how to reduce administrative friction by optimizing prior authorizations and modifying restrictive step therapy protocols to improve treatment access for patients with nAMD and DME.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: September 30, 2026
Expiration date: September 30, 2027
Learner level: Foundational
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Identify the unmet needs and treatment burdens associated with conventional anti-VEGF therapies in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME)
• Investigate recent clinical trial and real-world data on the safety, effectiveness, and durability of current and emerging treatments for nAMD and DME
• Apply information about the epidemiology and treatment advancements to support optimal care using rational drug utilization approaches for patients with nAMD and DME

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 1.0 contact hour (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-26-312-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through September 30, 2027.

AI Disclosure

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may have been used to support the development of this continuing education activity, such as for data organization or slide design. All AI-assisted content was reviewed and verified by qualified staff, faculty, or planners before release to ensure accuracy, balance, and freedom from commercial bias. Where applicable, specific details regarding the AI tool, its purpose, and the review process are disclosed within the activity materials. The accredited provider retains full responsibility for the activity’s content, accuracy, balance, and independence.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view 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.

Faculty

Matthew Cunningham, MD, FASRS, has the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Grant/Research Support: 4D Molecular Therapeutics, AbbVie, ADARx, Adverum, Alcon, Alimera, Annexon Inc, Aviceda, Eyebiotech, EyePoint, Genentech Inc, Henlius, Novartis, Ocular Therapeutix, Oculis, ONL Therapeutics, Parexel, Regeneron (Sienna), Regenxbio, Stealth BioTherapeutics

Consultant: Alcon, Alimera, Allergan, ANI Pharmaceuticals, EyePoint, Genentech Inc, Med Learning Group, Ocular Therapeutix, Ocuphire Pharma

Speakers Bureau: Apellis, Astellas, Genentech Inc, Regeneron

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Sneha Sharma, PharmD

The staff of Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer

Continuing professional education 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 be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the 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]
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Information:
www.pharmacytimes.org/terms