Breaking Down Neurodegenerative Diseases: Pharmacy Updates in Managing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and another 1 million are living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Advances have been made in the management of both illnesses; however, models suggest there may be barriers to their practical use. This session will address AD immunotherapies on the breakthrough pathway, focusing on the appropriate use of approved therapies, expectations for emerging therapies, potential barriers to use and subsequent place in therapy. The role of the pharmacist in closing gaps in screening, diagnosis, and treatment for AD will be emphasized. Furthermore, the session will address the place in therapy for new medications and formulations approved to treat motor, non-motor, and psychiatric complications of PD. Attendees will participate in case-based learning scenarios via the audience response system that reflect realistic clinical decisions for both AD and PD. Covered content will also extend beyond the clinical use of medications and will prompt learners to consider broader societal implications of medication use (e.g., formulary coverage, continuation and discontinuation).

This activity is approved for Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) and Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (BCGP) recertification credit.