OTC Treatment Strategies to Optimize the Management of Allergic Conjunctivitis (Pharmacy Technician Credit)

Program Description

Allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most common conditions affecting eye health for which patients seek self-care options. Various over-the-counter (OTC) ophthalmic treatment options are available in the pharmacy to achieve symptom control, and pharmacists and pharmacy technicians should be familiar with the different classes including antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, dual-activity agents, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Despite the OTC availability of treatment options, patients with allergic conjunctivitis are commonly underdiagnosed and undertreated. With a multitude of OTC ophthalmic treatments, pharmacists have a fundamental role in the identification of allergic conjunctivitis and recommendation of evidence-based treatments. This activity will establish foundational knowledge of allergic conjunctivitis and treatment options for pharmacy technicians and information to prepare pharmacists to effectively educate patients about its symptoms and patient self-management strategies to prevent ocular complications. Patient counseling video vignettes will supplement the activity by providing key highlights and tips for optimal patient interactions.

Target audience: Pharmacy technicians

Activity type: Knowledge for pharmacy technicians 

Release date: October 31, 2022

Expiration date: October 31, 2023

Estimated time to complete activity: 2.0 hours

Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Recall the prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis (AC) and burden of associated symptoms for patients
• Review available OTC treatment options for AC
• Outline the role of the pharmacy technician in helping optimize patient self-management of AC

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 numbers 0290-0000-22-503-H01-P and 0290-0000-22-504-H01-T. The activity is available for CE credit through October 31, 2023.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, listen to the podcast 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

Jason Zupec, PharmD, BCACP

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Rose Namissa-Buszka, PharmD, BCPS, CHCP; Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta

Pharmacy Times^® Editorial Staff—Davy James

Medical reviewer Kaelen Dunican, PharmD, has the following financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:
Advisory Board: Johnson & Johnson Consumer
Inc, PMAC

An anonymous peer reviewer was part of the content validation and conflict resolution and 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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