Optimizing Treatment Strategies and Management Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema

This activity was originally broadcast live as a satellite symposium held in conjunction with the 2022 AMCP Annual Meeting.

Program Description

Anti-VEGF antibodies are the mainstay of therapy for patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), but anti-VEGF therapy requires frequent, repeated intravitreal injections that pose significant burden for patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system. Recent investigation into the angiopoietin (Ang) pathway has the potential to provide a new treatment target that can reduce inflammation in nAMD and DME. Managed care professionals must be able to identify patients who are nonadherent to therapy or in whom initial treatment remains inadequate and consider evidence supporting use of emerging dual-targeted therapies in the management of patients with nAMD and DME. This activity will review clinical data for emerging therapies that target both VEGF and Ang pathways simultaneously. Real-world analyses examining healthcare resource utilization in nAMD and DME will also be discussed, with a focus on the managed care pharmacist’s role in supporting patient adherence, access to treatment, and improving quality of life for patients with nAMD and DME.

Target Audience: Managed care pharmacists and specialty pharmacists

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: April 22, 2022
Expiration date: April 22, 2023

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Examine the pathophysiology and current treatment strategies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) and current treatment options
• Analyze the efficacy and safety data for emerging therapies and treatment approaches for neovascular AMD and DME
• Distinguish the role of managed care professionals in the management and treatment selection for patients with neovascular AMD and DME

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 0290-0000-22-199-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 22, 2023.

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

Arghavan Almony, MD, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Consultant: Cardinal Health; Prime Education

Khalid M. Kamal, MPharm, PhD, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ Planning Staff— Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Karleen Melody, PharmD; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

An anonymous peer reviewer has been 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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