Optimizing Clinical Outcomes in Spinal Muscular Atrophy With the Use of Novel Disease-Modifying Therapies: A Review for Pharmacists

Optimizing Clinical Outcomes in Spinal Muscular Atrophy With the Use of Novel Disease-Modifying Therapies: A Review for Pharmacists

Faculty

Elizabeth Bisaccia, PharmD, BCPPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Department of Pharmacy
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois

Medical Writer for DecisionSim

Brittany Hoffmann-Eubanks, PharmD, MBA
Founder and CEO
Banner Medical LLC
Frankfort, Illinois
 
Program Description
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common fatal inherited disease in infants, with different types of SMA ranging from mild to extremely severe and terminal. While most types of SMA typically affect children from birth, some types of SMA do not present symptoms until adulthood. Progression can be varied with periods of rapid progression and periods of stasis, although the disease course is not completely understood. The recent approval of novel therapies for the treatment of SMA has transformed the treatment paradigm and has the potential to increase survival in patients with SMA. Early diagnosis and initiation of therapy is imperative, and pharmacists can facilitate incorporation of these agents appropriately into the treatment plan for patients with SMA. Pharmacists must understand the safety and efficacy data, as well as real-world experience associated with early initiation of treatment, to provide patients, caregivers, and other health care providers on the multidisciplinary team with information about the benefits versus risks associated with available therapies. This activity will also incorporate a DecisionSim, allowing participants to follow cases of patients with SMA and providing an opportunity to immediately implement the knowledge gained from the article.

Target audience: Health-system and specialty pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: April 30, 2021
Expiration date: June 15, 2022
Time to complete activity: 2.5 hours
Fee: Free

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

• Investigate the incidence, pathophysiology, types, and clinical presentation associated with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
• Examine the current management guidelines for SMA and the safety and efficacy of available and emerging therapies
• Explore the impact of SMA on patient and caregiver quality of life including physical and economic burden
• Identify the role of the pharmacist in educating patients on novel and emerging therapies for SMA and in making recommendations to improve clinical outcomes in this patient population

 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 2.5 contact hours (0.25 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-21-184-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through June 15, 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 with interactive patient simulation, 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

Faculty

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

Medical Writer & Editorial Support

Brittany Hoffmann-Eubanks, PharmD, MBA, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff – Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Liza Patel, PharmD, RPh; Kelly McCormick; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

An anonymous peer reviewer is 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.

For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
[email protected]
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Information:
www.pharmacytimes.org/terms