The Promising Role of Novel Targeted Therapies in Addressing Clinical and Economic Burdens in Diabetic Macular Edema

Program Description

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a vision-threatening retinal condition associated with blindness and decreased quality of life (QOL) when left untreated. The introduction of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment has provided many patients with DME with improved vision and QOL. It is imperative that specialty and managed care pharmacists are familiar with the efficacy and safety data of available and recently approved agents that target VEGF and angiopoietin-2, as well as the novel single-chain fragment variable antibody that inhibits all isoforms of VEGF-A and prevents binding of this ligand to VEGF receptors 1 and 2. This program will review advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of DME and the emerging role of these therapies. Due to the health and economic burdens associated with DME, pharmacists have increasingly growing roles in identifying and reducing treatment burdens for patients to improve QOL and combat nonadherence. Strategies for specialty pharmacists to improve patient adherence, enhance efficacy and safety, as well as address the complications associated with untreated DME will be presented.

Target audience: Managed care and specialty pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: May 18, 2023
Expiration date: May 18, 2024

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Analyze the prevalence, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, risk factors, and health and economic burdens associated with diabetic macular edema (DME)
• Explore the challenges associated with the treatment and management of DME
• Examine the efficacy and safety of recently approved therapies for the treatment of DME, including mechanism of action, dosing, administration, and potential adverse drug reactions
• Identify the roles of specialty and managed care pharmacists in educating patients about DME, possible therapies, and tailoring therapies to meet individual patient needs

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 0290-0000-23-219-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through May 18, 2024.

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

Joseph Nezgoda, MD, MBA, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:
Consultant: Allergan, Genentech

Speakers Bureau: Genentech

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Faculty

Yuqian Liu, PharmD

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Abigail Dill, Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta

Medical reviewer Arghavan Almony, MD, has the following relevant financial relationship with a commercial interest to disclose:
Speakers Bureau: Genentech

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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