Schizophrenic Patients on Long-term Oral/Topical Antipsychotic Treatment Without a Trial of Atypical Long-acting Injectable Therapy: A Tenncare Initiative

Activity description

Schizophrenia is one of the top 20 causes of disability worldwide, with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 0.7%. Individuals with schizophrenia are at risk for increased mortality and a shortened life span. Typical and atypical antipsychotic agents are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia and available in multiple dosage forms (i.e., oral, topical, injectable). Long-acting injectable (LAI) atypical antipsychotics are associated with decreased hospitalizations, fewer relapses requiring hospitalization, a decrease in emergency room visits and increased compliance when compared to oral antipsychotic therapy. The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia recommends that individuals receive treatment with a LAI antipsychotic if they prefer such treatment or if they have a history of poor or uncertain adherence.

Due to these recommendations and a goal of improved clinical outcomes, TennCare, in collaboration with Optum Rx, developed a multimodal program focused on encouraging LAI antipsychotic utilization and improving outcomes for patients with schizophrenia. This E-newsletter will provide an overview of the program, including details regarding the benefits of LAI atypical antipsychotics and other available agents, a brief review of schizophrenia and potential clinical steps. Additional information regarding the retrospective drug utilization review process and the rationale for brand drug preference will also be highlighted.

Provided by
This activity is provided by Optum Health Education and Optum Rx.

Commercial support
No commercial support was received for this activity.

Target Audience

This activity is designed to meet the educational needs of nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, PAs, physicians and other health care professionals (HCPs) who are interested in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • Recognize the potential benefits of utilizing LAI atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia.
  • List available LAI atypical antipsychotic agents and identify differences in administration and duration of action.
  • Explain the rationale for utilizing brand drugs over their generic alternatives.
Activity summary
Available credit: 
  • 0.50 ACPE - Pharmacists
  • 0.50 ACPE - Pharmacy Technicians
  • 0.50 AMA - Physicians
  • 0.50 ANCC - Nurses
  • 0.50 Attendance - General Attendance
Activity opens: 
10/20/2023
Activity expires: 
10/20/2026
Rating: 
0

Author
Amanda Kiriakopoulos, PharmD
FFS Director, Clinical Consulting
Optum Rx

Planner
Rebecca Gleason, RN, CCM
Activity Manager
Optum Health Education

Disclosures of relevant financial relationships
In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education's (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, OptumHealth Education (OHE) requires all those in control of educational content to disclose their financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. Ineligible companies are defined by the ACCME as companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care products used by or on patients. Individuals must disclose all financial relationships, regardless of the amount, with ineligible companies and regardless of their view of the relevance of the relationship to the education. OHE ensures that the content is independent of commercial bias.

The author and planner have no financial relationships to disclose.

Method for calculating CE credit
CE credit was calculated by the complexity of content.

Accreditation statement
Joint Provider LogoIn support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Optum Health Education and Optum Rx. Optum Health Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team.

Credit designation statements
Nurses

The participant will be awarded up to 0.50 contact hour(s) of credit for attendance and completion of supplemental materials.

Nurse practitioners
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.

Pharmacists/Pharmacy technicians
This activity is approved for 0.50 contact hour ([0.05] CEU) in states that recognize ACPE.
Attending the full program will earn 0.50 contact hour.
Unique Activity Number(s): JA0007123-9999-23-001-H01-P/T

Physicians
Optum Health Education designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

PAs
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be provided to learners upon completion of activity requirements, enabling participants to register with licensing boards or associations that have not been preapproved for credits. To apply for credit types not listed above, participants should use the procedure established by the specific organization from which they wish to obtain credit.

Available Credit

  • 0.50 ACPE - Pharmacists
  • 0.50 ACPE - Pharmacy Technicians
  • 0.50 AMA - Physicians
  • 0.50 ANCC - Nurses
  • 0.50 Attendance - General Attendance
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