Program Overview
Please read the following program information before accessing the presentations using links located at the bottom of this page.
Release Date: March 15, 2009 Expiration Date: March 14, 2010
Accreditation for Pharmacists
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. The program provides 2 hours (0.2 CEUs) of continuing education credit (program number 204-000-08-463-H01P).
Methods and Format
This is an online activity consisting of audio and slides for three presentations, a post-test, and an activity evaluation tool. Participants must view all presentations, take the activity post-test, and complete the course evaluation to receive continuing education credit. A minimum score of 70% is required on the test for credit to be awarded, and participants may print their official statements of continuing education credit immediately. The estimated time to complete this activity is 2 hours. This activity is provided free of charge.
Target Audience
This continuing education activity was planned to meet the needs of pharmacists in a variety of practice settings, including large and small health systems, outpatient clinics, managed-care organizations, long-term care facilities, and academia. This activity would be particularly beneficial for pharmacists, clinical specialists, managers, leaders, and educators who are interested in improving ambulatory patient care and learning about new drug therapies.
Activity Content
Click here to view an overview of the activity content.Learning Objectives
After participating in this knowledge-based educational activity, participants should be able to
- Describe at least three patient characteristics or test results that could be used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or describe its prognosis.
- Identify and interpret the results of at least two tools used in clinical trials to measure RA disease activity and assess drug efficacy.
- Describe the pathogenesis of RA.
- Compare different approaches to the treatment of RA.
- Recommend appropriate disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy for a patient with RA based on the new American College of Rheumatology recommendations and patient-specific considerations, including disease duration and activity and prognostic factors.
- Discuss the mechanism of action and current clinical data concerning the efficacy and safety of investigational agents for RA.
Faculty
Arthur A. Schuna, M.S., R.Ph., FASHP
Program Chair
Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator
William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
Clinical Professor of Pharmacy
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy
Madison, Wisconsin
Frank Pucino, Pharm.D., FASHP
Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacy Team Leader
Clinical Center Pharmacy Department
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland
Beth H. Resman-Targoff, Pharm.D., FCCP
Clinical Professor
University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Disclosure Statement
In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education's and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education's Standards for Commercial Support, ASHP Advantage requires that all individuals involved in the development of program content disclose their relevant financial relationships and that conflicts of interest be identified and resolved prior to delivery of the activity.
The faculty and planners report the following relationships:Frank Pucino, Pharm.D., FASHP, declares that he has no relationships pertinent to this activity.
Beth H. Resman-Targoff, Pharm.D., FCCP, declares that she has no relationships pertinent to this activity.
Arthur A. Schuna, M.S., R.Ph., FASHP, declares that he has no relationships pertinent to this activity.
Carla J. Brink, M.S., R.Ph., declares that she has no relationships pertinent to this activity.
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Roche Laboratories Inc.
Launch Presentation*
Overview of the Diagnosis and Pathogenesis of Rheumatoid Arthritis (30 minutes) 
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Update on Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (40 minutes) 
Emerging Drug Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis (40 minutes)
Frank Pucino, Pharm.D., FASHP
Download Post-Test
Click here to print the post-test for your reference. Please note that to be eligible for continuing education credit, you must go to the ASHP Learning Center and complete the test online.
