Program Description
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy
(IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis worldwide and a leading
cause of progressive chronic kidney disease. Up to 40% of patients advance to
end-stage kidney disease within 20 years, contributing to substantial morbidity,
mortality, and health care costs associated with dialysis and transplantation.
Current understanding of IgAN centers on the multi-hit hypothesis involving
galactose-deficient IgA1 production, autoantibody formation, immune complex
deposition, and complement-mediated kidney injury, with emerging evidence
highlighting roles for the gut microbiome and APRIL signaling pathways. The
2025 KDIGO guidelines emphasize early diagnosis but risk stratification remains
a challenge in clinical practice and population health management due to the
need for validated biomarkers. Proteinuria and estimated glomerular filtration
rate remain the most reliable predictors of progression. With improved
understanding of the pathophysiology, IgAN management has evolved toward
traditional glucocorticoid-sparing strategies with targeted therapies. Managed
care pharmacists play a central role in evaluating clinical and economic
evidence, supporting formulary decisions and optimizing access to emerging
therapies while balancing affordability and outcomes. This 1-part supplement
will examine the clinical and economic burden of IgAN, review current and
emerging treatment options, and explore managed care considerations, including
formulary decision-making and patient access, to support evidence-based and
cost-conscious care. Key points will address challenges in risk stratification
and integration of clinical and histopathologic data and evolving
evidence-based treatment pathways to inform optimal resource allocation and
improve long-term outcomes for patients with IgAN.
Target
audience: Managed care pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: August
31, 2026
Expiration date: August
31, 2027
Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hour
Fee: Free
Educational Objectives
At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Explain the core pathophysiology, patterns of disease progression, and overall patient burden associated with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy
- Explore the therapeutic objectives and evidence-based recommendations outlined in the KDIGO guidelines, with a focus on the clinical importance of proteinuria reduction
- Analyze clinical trial evidence, mechanisms of action, and molecular targets of emerging pharmacologic therapies for IgA nephropathy
- Discover practical management approaches and coordinated care strategies to support early detection, timely intervention, and improved long-term renal outcomes
Casey Koch, PharmD, MBA
Clinical Pharmacist
Select Health
Murray, UT
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 0290-0000-26-280-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through August 31, 2027.
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.
Faculty
The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:
Faculty
Casey Koch, PharmD, MBA
Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning
Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP; Liza
Patel, PharmD, RPh; Emily Tyler, MHA, PMP; Brianna Winters; and Afton Woodward
Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.
At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
Educational Disclaimer
Continuing professional education 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 be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the 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:
[email protected]
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