The Benefits and Challenges of Targeted Treatments in Severe and Uncontrolled Asthma: Opportunities in Managed Care

Program Description

Severe asthma contributes to the majority of overall economic, physical, and social burden in all patients with asthma due to increased number of exacerbations and rescue medications required. Patients with severe asthma require more intensive therapy, need greater attention to adherence counseling and comorbidities, and require specialized care. Managed care professionals are optimally positioned to provide personalized approaches to treatment. Many patients with uncontrolled severe asthma rely on add-on oral corticosteroids for short-term or maintenance therapy, but the incorporation of biologic therapies as additional treatment options may bring steroid-sparing effects for patients dependent on oral corticosteroids to achieve asthma control. Pharmacists must be familiar with current guideline recommendations to include recently approved and emerging biologics in the management plans of patients with severe asthma. The role of pharmacists in the team-based approach to asthma management, including identifying high-risk patients, educating patients about emerging treatment options and adherence, and assisting with prior authorizations, will be discussed.

Target audience: Health-system and managed care pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: December 22, 2022
Expiration date: December 22, 2023

Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Determine the assessment criteria for severe and uncontrolled asthma and the treatment approach based on severity status.
• Classify the clinical data and evidence-based approaches to utilizing biologic therapies for the treatment of uncontrolled and severe asthma.
• Explore disease management strategies that facilitate timely access to biologic therapy and improve patient outcomes in the management of severe asthma.

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 0290-0000-22-627-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through December 22, 2023.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review 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

Michael R. Stinchon, Jr, RPh, has no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Karleen Melody, PharmD; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no 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.

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.

For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
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