Managed Care Approaches and Models for Equitable Access to Innovations in Major Depressive Disorder Treatment

This activity was originally broadcast in conjunction with AMCP 2025.

Program Description

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health issue that accounts for a significant impact on patient quality of life, health care utilization, and economic costs. Treatment aims to overcome symptoms, minimize adverse drug reactions, and improve remission rates. Despite available treatments, many patients fail to achieve relief, and the recurrent nature of MDD contributes to 80% of patients experiencing at least 1 additional episode. The significant burden of MDD and challenges with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is also complicated by patient challenges with adhering to long-term maintenance therapy. Expert faculty will discuss guideline recommendations for long-term vs episodic treatment, highlight innovative therapies targeting novel pathways, and review approaches for managed care professionals to improve MDD management by facilitating medication access, conducting reviews, and optimizing adherence. This session will provide valuable insights for managed care professionals on optimizing the management of MDD and TRD, including strategies for relapse prevention to enhance patient outcomes and improve cost-effectiveness.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: April 10, 2025
Expiration date: April 10, 2026

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

Learner level: Foundational
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Examine the clinical and economic burden, as well as the unmet needs in the treatment approach to major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression.
• Explore recent advancements in MDD treatments, evaluating the safety and efficacy of new agents while addressing barriers to treatment adherence.
• Identify strategies for managed care pharmacists to improve patient outcomes in MDD by optimizing therapy selection, enhancing medication access, and supporting adherence, with a focus on personalized, patient-centered care.

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 0290-0000-25-091-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 10, 2026.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

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

Disclosures

Faculty

Megan Maroney, PharmD, BCPP, FAAPP, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose: Consultant (advisory board): Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Karuna Therapeutics.

Khalid M. Kamal, MPharm, PhD, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose: Grant/Research Support: Cerevel Therapeutics, EMD Serono, Johnson & Johnson.

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Aleksandra Thomas; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta; and Rebecca Green.

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 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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