Navigating the Advances in the Treatment of Geographic Atrophy: Updates and Strategies for Managed Care

Program Description
Geographic atrophy (GA) is the most advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and is characterized by the development of lesions that impair patients’ central visual acuity. The proposed mechanism occurs through dysregulation of the complement system resulting in increased oxidative stress and inflammation, similar to AMD. Improved understanding of the complement system has led to the development of novel therapies targeting the complement cascade. Early identification of patients with AMD at risk for progression to GA may improve timeliness of effective interventions and ability to guide patients to the appropriate care to reduce the burden of GA on quality of life. As complement inhibitors become incorporated into clinical practice and treatment guidelines for GA, managed care professionals will be essential partners with clinicians and patients in navigating administration, facilitating prior authorization, and supporting access to these agents. This article will examine newly approved complement inhibitors and investigational targets for treatment and management of GA with discussion of the administration, adverse effects, efficacy, and affordability considerations associated with these novel therapies.

Target Audience: Managed care pharmacists

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: March 29, 2024
Expiration date: March 29, 2025

Learner level: Foundational; Intermediate

Time to complete activity: 2.0 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Examine the role of dysregulation of the complement system in the pathophysiology of geographic atrophy (GA).
• Identify risk factors affecting disease progression of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to GA and monitoring parameters.
• Analyze the clinical trial data and evidence-based recommendations for use of novel targeted therapies in the treatment of GA.
• Explain the financial and treatment burden of GA and how managed care professionals can facilitate appropriate access to timely treatment to alleviate these challenges.

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 2.0 contact hours (0.20 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-9999-24-023-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through March 29, 2025.

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.

Disclosures

Judy E. Kim, MD, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Consultant/Advisory Board: Amgen, Apellis, Bausch & Lomb, Clearside Biomedical, Coherus, Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center, Eyepoint, Genentech/Roche, Notal Vision, Outlook Therapeutics, Regeneron

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

Faculty

Steven Kheloussi, PharmD, MBA, FAMCP

Medical Writing and Editorial Support

Angel Antonio Rodriguez, PharmD, MS, BCACP

Lance Azzo, PharmD

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Angelica Archibald; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; Chloe Taccetta; and Rebecca Green have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Anonymous peer reviewers were used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Medical reviewer Anton M. Kolomeyer, MD, PhD, has the following relevant financial relationships with

commercial interests to disclose:

Consultant: Allergen (AbbVie), Alimer, Apellis, Biogen, Iveric Bio (Astellas), Genentech, Regeneron

Speaker: Biogen, Iveric Bio (Astellas), Genentech

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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