PCSK9 Inhibitors: Managing Hypercholesterolemia and Improving Patient Outcomes

PCSK9 Inhibitors: Managing Hypercholesterolemia and Improving Patient Outcomes is organized by Pharmacy Times Continuing Education (PTCE).

Release Date: May 30, 2019
Expiration Date: May 30, 2020

Target Audience: 
Specialty Pharmacists and Managed Care Professionals.

Accreditation:
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 CEUs)

Activity Overview:
Statin therapy remains the cornerstone of managing elevated LDL-C; however, overall compliance with statins remains suboptimal, and considerable evidence indicates that low adherence to statins is linked with poorer outcomes. Some patients may benefit from alternative approaches for LDL-C lowering, particularly those with familial hypercholesterolemia, those in whom LDL-C lowering is insufficient, or those who are intolerant to statins. In 2015, the FDA approved the first 2 agents in the PCSK9 inhibitor class: alirocumab and evolocumab. As cost is a major factor for use, specialty pharmacists need to understand the potential barriers of PCSK9 inhibitor payer approval for patients meeting the required indications and consider recent evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of this drug class for reducing cardiovascular risk.

Educational Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
• Review risk for hypercholesterolemia and limitations in treating patients with statins and alternative therapies
• Explore the latest clinical data for PCSK9 inhibitors
• Identify patients who may benefit from the use of PCSK9 inhibitors
• Analyze the most recent cost-effectiveness data for the use of PCSK9 inhibitors

Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.