Managed care payers, pharmacy directors, pharmacy benefit managers, specialty pharmacy directors, and any other pharmacist and/or healthcare professional interested in scientific advances for combination therapies
ALS remains a devastating diagnosis that presages a rapid decline in motor functioning and often leads to death within 2 to 5 years.Two FDA-approved treatments are currently marketed that stem the decline temporarily, and guidelines strictly recommend these therapies be used and implemented into therapy as soon as possible.However, neither offer a cure and despite this progress, the disease ravages the ability of patients with ALS to function as they lose their ability to walk, swallow, sometimes think, and, eventually, breathe.With the advent of targeted therapies and growing knowledge about the disease, several discoveries are at last offering a glimpse into a more hopeful future for patients with this rare condition.It is imperative managed care professionals review the current treatment landscape and guidelines and the potential of emerging therapies to change the landscape. Statement of Educational NeedMore than 5000 Americans receive a diagnosis of ALS each year, and an estimated 20,000 Americans are living with the disease.ALS poses a clinical and economic burden, with a grim prognosis and requirement for high level of care.Continuing education on the current and emerging therapies and burden of ALS will allow managed care professionals to provide quality care and medication access to patients. Educational ObjectivesUpon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: • Examine the disease burden of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) from population and patient perspectives.• Differentiate the mechanisms of action and clinical data for currently approved treatments in ALS.• Characterize disease targets and investigational drugs in ALS research.• Explore utilization management considerations in ALS, including best practices and emerging therapies. Accreditation StatementPharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of
ALS remains a devastating diagnosis that presages a rapid decline in motor functioning and often leads to death within 2 to 5 years.Two FDA-approved treatments are currently marketed that stem the decline temporarily, and guidelines strictly recommend these therapies be used and implemented into therapy as soon as possible.However, neither offer a cure and despite this progress, the disease ravages the ability of patients with ALS to function as they lose their ability to walk, swallow, sometimes think, and, eventually, breathe.With the advent of targeted therapies and growing knowledge about the disease, several discoveries are at last offering a glimpse into a more hopeful future for patients with this rare condition.It is imperative managed care professionals review the current treatment landscape and guidelines and the potential of emerging therapies to change the landscape. Statement of Educational NeedMore than 5000 Americans receive a diagnosis of ALS each year, and an estimated 20,000 Americans are living with the disease.ALS poses a clinical and economic burden, with a grim prognosis and requirement for high level of care.Continuing education on the current and emerging therapies and burden of ALS will allow managed care professionals to provide quality care and medication access to patients. Educational ObjectivesUpon completion of this activity, participants should be able to: • Examine the disease burden of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) from population and patient perspectives.• Differentiate the mechanisms of action and clinical data for currently approved treatments in ALS.• Characterize disease targets and investigational drugs in ALS research.• Explore utilization management considerations in ALS, including best practices and emerging therapies. Accreditation StatementPharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death and the most common etiology for dementia.It causes a significant burden to the public health system, patients afflicted with it, and their caregivers.Continuing professional education will increase competency on AD, including the importance of early detection, patient and caregiver education, and the role of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of AD.Application of knowledge will improve clinical decision making, improve quality of life among patients and caregivers, optimize medication therapy, improve outcomes, and decrease costs associated with the treatment of AD. Statement of Educational NeedAlzheimer disease requires a multispecialty approach to diagnosis and treatment.The estimated cost of Alzheimer disease includes direct medical, indirect, and social care costs.Early diagnosis can improve quality of life for both patients and caregivers.Continuing education on the importance of early diagnosis, current and emerging therapies, and the societal and economic burden of Alzheimer disease will help managed care professionals provide timely and appropriate care to patients. Educational ObjectivesUpon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:• Explore the impact of Alzheimer disease as it relates to progression, value of early diagnosis, associated comorbidities, and effect on patients and caregivers.• Analyze current and emerging data for new therapeutic targets for the pharmacologic treatment of Alzheimer disease.• Examine the importance of medication therapy management and drug utilization reviews for controlling costs and improving outcomes among patients with Alzheimer disease. Accreditation StatementPharmacy 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 0290-0000-20-207-H01-P.
