OVERVIEW

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a costly disease in terms of its effects on patients’ quality of life and its financial cost to society. The introduction of treatments that are designed to change the natural disease course has focused attention on the economic burden of MS. Balancing cost-effective treatment with current guidelines and optimal therapy is a challenge to pharmacists practicing in the managed care setting. In order to be effective in their roles, managed care and specialty pharmacists need a sense of the economic value of MS drug therapies for formulary selection and/or placement and optimizing patient care. This archived symposium, including video vignettes of actual patients sharing their personal experiences of living with MS, will present perspectives from a medical director, pharmacy director, and specialty pharmacist on how to translate this wealth of information into clinical practice to improve patient and pharmacoeconomic outcomes.

GOAL

This web archive will provide managed care and specialty pharmacists with up-to-date information on pharmaco- and socioeconomic issues in MS therapy, how to promote patient adherence, and the specialty and managed care implications of MS to improve patient outcomes.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This activity is designed for managed care and specialty pharmacists. No prerequisites required.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CPE activity. Upon the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

• DISCUSS the impact of pharmaco- and socioeconomic issues associated with current and emerging MS therapies.
• FORMULATE 2 strategies to promote patient adherence and optimize utilization of MS therapies early in the disease course.
• DESCRIBE the specialty and managed care pharmacy implications of MS.

ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education to provide continuing education for pharmacists.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT

The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Successful completion of this knowledge-based educational activity will provide a statement for 1.5 contact hour credit (0.15 CEUs) and will be available for download following successful completion of the activity. Successful completion includes taking the pre-test, participating in the activity, completing a self-assessment instrument with a score of at least 70%, and completing an evaluation instrument. If you score less than 70% on the self-assessment instrument, you will be allowed to complete the examination one more time. ACPE Program #0064-0000-11-212-H01-P. Beginning in 2012, your CE credits will also be submitted electronically to NABP. Pharmacists or pharmacy technicians with questions regarding their NABP e-Profile or CPE Monitor should refer to the FAQ section on the NABP website (www.nabp.net/programs/cpe-monitor/cpe-monitor-service) or contact NABP Customer Service: custserv@nabp.net or telephone 847-391-4406.

The estimated time to complete this educational activity: 1.5 hours.

Release date: December 15, 2011; Expiration date: December 15, 2012.

FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY AFFECTING CPE ACTIVITIES

As an accredited provider by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), it is the policy of The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy to require the disclosure of the existence of any significant financial interest or any other relationship a faculty member or a sponsor has with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in an educational presentation. The faculty reported the following:

STEERING COMMITTEE

Sheldon J. Rich, RPh, PhD (Course Director)
President – SJR Associates, LLC
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Michigan
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
Dr Rich reports serving as an advisory board moderator for Astellas Pharma US, Inc, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, and Teva Neuroscience; serving as an advisory board participant for Acorda Therapeutics; and serving as an expert witness for Rutledge, Manion, Rabaut, Terry & Thomas.

Gary Birnbaum, MD
Director
Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research Center
Golden Valley, Minnesota
Clinical Professor of Neurology
University of Minnesota School of Medicine
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dr Birnbaum reports receiving grants/research support from Biogen IDEC; serving as a consultant for Serono and Teva Neuroscience; and having other relationships with Pfizer Inc, Serono, and Teva Neuroscience.

Maria Lopes, MD, MS
Chief Medical Officer
AMC Health
Cresskill, New Jersey
Dr Lopes reports having no relevant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

SPEAKER

Richard Faris, PhD, RPh
Vice President and National Practice Leader
Accredo Health
Memphis, Tennessee
Dr Faris reports holding stock in Medco Health Solutions.

OFF-LABEL PRODUCT DISCUSSION

In accordance with ACPE Criteria for Quality, the audience is advised that authors in this CPE activity may include reference(s) to unlabeled, unapproved, or investigational uses of therapeutic agents or biomedical devices. The authors will inform the reader of when they discuss or reference an unapproved, unlabeled, or investigational use of therapeutic agent or biomedical device.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

The opinions and recommendations expressed by faculty and other experts whose input is included in this activity are their own. This activity is produced for educational purposes only. Use of The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy name implies review of educational format, design, and approach. Please review the complete prescribing information of specific drugs or combinations of drugs, including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects, before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.

GRIEVANCE POLICY

A participant, sponsor, faculty member, or other individual wanting to file a grievance with respect to any aspect of an activity sponsored or cosponsored by The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy may contact the Associate Dean for Continuing Education in writing at gfarr@utasip.com. The grievance will be reviewed and a response will be returned within 45 days of receiving the written statement. If not satisfied, an appeal to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy can be made for a second level review.

FEE INFORMATION

There is no fee for this educational activity.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pre-Test

Course Overview and Goals

Managed Care Considerations in Optimizing Patient Outcomes with Current and Emerging Treatments
Sheldon J. Rich, RPh, PhD

Pharmaco- and Socioeconomic Considerations with MS Therapies
Maria Lopes, MD, MS

Specialty Pharmacy Considerations of MS Treatments
Richard Faris, PhD, RPh

Post-Test


What you are about to see is a previously recorded live webcast. Please note that only "home study" credit will be awarded for participating in this archived presentation. No "live" credits are available.

Supported by an educational grant from Biogen IDEC.