The Pharmacist’s Role in the Management of Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Strategies to Address Challenges and Improve Patient Care

Program Description
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and complex condition that can be life threatening if left untreated. Additionally, it is a serious complication in some connective tissue diseases, and patients with connective tissue disease-associated PAH (CTD-PAH) often have worse clinical outcomes. Pharmacists can have significant roles in promoting screening for PAH in patients with CTDs to initiate early, effective treatment. As mixed forms of CTD-PAH may occur, therapy decisions must often be patient-specific and tailored based on the underlying CTD. This requires that pharmacists consult with providers involved in the management of patients with CTD-PAH about guideline-recommended therapy or combination therapy options and provide patients with pertinent information about expectations for drug therapies. Strategies for pharmacists to overcome challenges associated with CTD-PAH diagnosis and promoting patient adherence to therapy will also be presented.

Target Audience: Health-system pharmacists, specialty pharmacists

Type of Activity: Application

Release date: November 19, 2021

Expiration date: November 19, 2022

Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour

Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Characterize the pathophysiology, risk factors, and prognosis related to connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTD-PAH)
• Explain the importance of early screening, diagnosis, and treatment to improve clinical outcomes with CTD-PAH
• Investigate the role of the pharmacist in approaching potential challenges associated with CTD-PAH treatments and ongoing management

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 0290-0000-21-409-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through November 19, 2022.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, read the article 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

Rebekah H. Anguiano, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education^™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Rose Namissa, PharmD, BCPS; Liz Rauh; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

An anonymous peer reviewer was 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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