Multiple Sclerosis: Managed Care Approaches to Navigating the Treatment Landscape

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong, progressive disease and the leading cause of nontraumatic disability in young adults. The unpredictable course of disease creates a substantial impact on quality of life for those living with MS and significant economic burden to the healthcare system when patients experience relapses or progression. Unfortunately, MS is incurable; however, there are several disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) that can alter progression of this incapacitating illness. Recent approvals have added to the armamentarium of available agents, and careful selection is necessary to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Managed care professionals and pharmacists must be able to assess new and emerging treatments and incorporate them into value-based care models. This discussion will center on clinical data for agents under investigation for treatment of MS as well as managed care considerations for facilitating access to medications as they become available. Expert panelists will also review strategies to mitigate costs of disease progression and disability in patients with MS.

Target Audience: Managed care pharmacists

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: November 2, 2021
Expiration date: November 2, 2022
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
⦁ Break down the current treatment challenges and unmet needs in managing multiple sclerosis (MS) and the burden on patients and the healthcare system
⦁ Interpret the most current guideline recommendations, evidence-based data, and new and emerging treatment strategies to address unmet needs in MS care
⦁ Examine the healthcare utilization and costs associated with MS and the managed care considerations in facilitating access to efficacious and individualized treatment

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 0290-0000-21-379-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through November 2, 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.

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

Faculty
Amanda Hickman, PharmD, MPH, MSCS, and Patty Taddei-Allen, PharmD, MBA, BCACP, BCGP

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Rose Namissa, PharmD, BCPS; Liz Rauh; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta

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.