Utilizing Biologics for the Management of Persistent Moderate to Severe Asthma: Opportunities for the Specialty Pharmacist to Optimize Care, featuring a Caregiver Perspective

This activity was originally presented at the 2023 Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit.

This activity includes a patient caregiver interview. 

Program Description

Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by recurring symptoms (eg, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough), airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and inflammation. Intranasal corticosteroids are a mainstay of treatment in asthma therapy; however, severe asthma can be more challenging to treat and may require the addition of therapies such as long-acting beta-agonists, oral corticosteroids, and biologics. Specialty pharmacists must remain up-to-date on current and emerging strategies for treatment and management of moderate to severe asthma in order to improve patient health-related quality of life and reduce disease burden. This activity will provide pharmacists with the knowledge needed to guide therapy selection, as well as provide individualized education to children, adults, and caregivers to optimize care and improve outcomes. This activity will also include a caregiver perspective to provide insight on the patient and caregiver journey to manage moderate to severe asthma.

Target audience: Specialty pharmacists, health-system pharmacists, managed care pharmacists, retail pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: May 17, 2023
Expiration date: May 17, 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:

• Explain the type 2 pathophysiology underlying moderate to severe asthma, its clinical presentation, clinical and economic burden, and impact on quality of life
• Analyze clinical evidence for the use of biologics for the management of persistent moderate to severe asthma
• Employ strategies to improve access to biologics, initiation, and adherence to therapy through patient/caregiver counseling, step-by-step instructions, and management of common adverse effects

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 0290-0000-23-202-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through May 17, 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

William C. Anderson III, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Advisory Board: Sanofi, Genentech, and Regeneron

Grant/Research Support: Colorado Medicaid Supplemental Funding Program and COPIC Medical Foundation

Elizabeth Autry, PharmD, BCPPS, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff: Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh, MBA; Dipti Desai, PharmD, CHCP, MBA; Liza Patel, PharmD, RPh; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Monica Littlejohn, PharmD, MHA, served as a medical reviewer and has the following relevant financial relationship with a commercial interest to disclose:

Grant/Research Support: Sanofi Inc

Anonymous peer reviewers have been 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:
[email protected]
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Information:
www.pharmacytimes.org/terms