Managed Care Considerations for Management of Molluscum Contagiosum: Examining Emerging Treatments

Program Description
Molluscum contagiosum is a common skin infection in children caused by a poxvirus that appears as one or as many as dozens of small, smooth, pink, white, or flesh-colored bumps, called mollusca. These bumps are usually 2 mm to 5 mm in diameter, with a small pit in the center that can erupt anywhere on the body, including the face, back, genitals, arms, or legs. Current treatment options include surgical removal or scraping of the mollusca, topical acids or creams that dissolve the mollusca, injectable medications, and oral cimetidine. Though none of these options are currently FDA approved for treatment of molluscum contagiosum, there are 2 topical therapies under investigation. Managed care pharmacists should be familiar with both of these pipeline therapy options and associated clinical data as a treatment for this disease could reduce spending on over-the-counter preparations and significantly improve quality of life for pediatric patients with the disease.

PTCE aims to present the most updated information available. Cantharidin topical solution 0.7% was approved in July 2023 by the FDA for the topical treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older. The medication is administered by a health care professional via a single-use applicator. Please refer to the prescribing information for additional information.

Target Audience: Managed care pharmacists, health system pharmacists, specialty pharmacists, retail pharmacists
Type of Activity: Application
Release date: June 23, 2023
Expiration date: June 23, 2024
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and health-related quality of life for patients with molluscum contagiosum
• Analyze the latest data on the efficacy, safety, and administration of emerging treatments for molluscum contagiosum
• Examine the role of managed care professionals in the development of evidence-based clinical protocols for molluscum contagiosum

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 0290-0000-23-281-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through June 23, 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

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

Faculty

Bernard A. Cohen, MD, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interested to disclose. 

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Kimberly Simpson, PharmD; Liz Rauh; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

An 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.

For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
[email protected]
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Information:
www.pharmacytimes.org/terms