This activity was originally presented at the 2026 PBMI Annual Drug Benefit Conference.
Program Description
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its severe renal manifestation, lupus nephritis (LN), pose complex management challenges. Both are characterized by unpredictable disease patterns. LN develops in approximately 40% of individuals with SLE and is a major predictor of accelerated organ damage and increased mortality, driving a heavy burden of comorbidities like cardiovascular and bone disease. Traditional induction and maintenance strategies heavily rely on high-dose glucocorticoids and conventional immunosuppressants; however, these options frequently fall short of achieving remission, and they carry a high risk of cumulative toxicity that leaves patients vulnerable to multiple yearly flares. For payers and health systems, this translates into increased health care expenditures, long-term dialysis, and more hospital admissions during acute disease exacerbations.
This session will examine the mechanisms of novel therapies in the expanding armamentarium of targeted biologics and small molecules for SLE and LN. Participants will evaluate how to align cost-containment efforts with the latest clinical protocols from the 2024 KDIGO, 2025 ACR, and 2025 EULAR consensus statements. The discussion will equip managed care professionals and pharmacists with the evidence-based strategies needed to optimize treatment pathways and utilization management while supporting the use of early, steroid-sparing combination therapies. Examples will highlight strategies for managed care pharmacists to lead multidisciplinary collaborations, manage polypharmacy, implement appropriate formulary controls, and execute evidence-based utilization management to curb the staggering direct and indirect costs of these conditions while significantly improving outcomes for patients with SLE and LN.
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:
- Examine the epidemiology and pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) and the impact of disease progression on patient outcomes
- Analyze clinical guidelines and the role of standard and new pharmacotherapy for the treatment of SLE and LN
- Apply an evidence-based approach to utilization management for the treatment of SLE and LN
Darren W. Grabe, PharmD, BS
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Albany, NY
Yuqian Liu, PharmD
Senior Director, Specialty Clinical Solutions
Prime Therapeutics
Eagan, MN
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 0290-0000-26-313-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through September 30, 2027.
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
The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:
Darren W. Grabe, PharmD, BS
Yuqian Liu, 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.
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