HIV Pharmacoptherapy Continuing Education Program

Pharmacists in all practice settings providing pharmaceutical care for persons living with HIV.

HIV pharmacotherapy is unsurpassed in its complexity when compared with other chronic illnesses, making pharmaceutical care in this area particularly challenging. However, caring for persons infected with HIV is becoming more common as individuals with the disease are living longer and are presenting to a diversity of practice settings. Many pharmacists find themselves uncomfortable with their level of knowledge in the area of HIV either because they did not receive any HIV training in their formal education or simply because of the rapid and on-going advancements in this therapeutic area.

Didactic Module Objectives

HIV Infection & AIDS
1.1   Define HIV and AIDS and explain how HIV is transmitted.

1.2   Describe components of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and its replication life cycle.

1.3   Describe the stages of HIV infection, symptoms associated with early infection and the effect of HIV on the immune system over time.

1.4   Identify who should be tested for HIV and types of HIV tests available.

1.5   List antiretroviral drugs and drug classes currently available in the United States.

1.6   Describe areas of research with investigational drugs as well as therapeutic and preventive HIV vaccines.

Initial Assessment, Treatment Goals and Monitoring
2.1   Describe laboratory testing used for initial assessment and monitoring response to treatment.

2.2   List the basic differences between genotype and phenotype resistance tests.

2.3   State when resistance tests should be used to guide therapy decisions.

2.4   State the primary goals of antiretroviral therapy and the methods used to achieve them.

Initiating Therapy
3.1   List factors to consider when starting antiretroviral therapy in a treatment-naïve patient.

3.2   Identify currently available antiretroviral agents recommended as preferred first-line therapy options.

3.3   Discuss advantages and disadvantages of various antiretroviral combinations for initial treatment.

Managing Treatment-Experienced Patients
4.1   Identify causes of antiretroviral treatment failure.

4.2   Describe the rationale for changing antiretroviral therapy as a result of virologic failure.

4.3   Discuss options for regimen simplification.

4.4   Describe the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in regimen management.

4.5   State the issues related to treatment interruption or discontinuation.

Special Patient Populations
5.1.  Describe treatment considerations in special populations including acute HIV infection, adolescents, pregnant women, transgender, substance use disorder, HIV-2 infection, hepatitis co-infection or tuberculosis.

5.2  Identify appropriate treatment options for special patient populations.

Limitations to Treatment Safety & Efficacy
6.1   Identify predictors of inadequate adherence and optimal adherence.

6.2   Describe patient-related strategies, health-team-related strategies and regimen-related strategies for improving adherence to ARV therapy.

6.3   Describe potential adverse effects associated with antiretroviral agents.

6.4   Identify significant drug-drug interactions involving antiretrovirals and the mechanism of these interactions.

Opportunistic Infections
7.1   Describe the common courses of several opportunistic infections seen in AIDS patients.

7.2   Identify drug therapies for both prevention and treatment of these opportunistic infections.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
8.1   List factors to consider when initiating preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) therapy.

8.2   List laboratory testing used for initial assessment and monitoring response to treatment.

8.3   State the primary goals of PrEP and the methods used to achieve them.

8.4   Identify special clinical considerations and laboratory testing used for initial assessment and monitoring response to treatment.

Nonoccupational Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
9.1   List factors to consider when initiating nonoccupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) therapy.

9.2   List laboratory testing used for initial assessment and monitoring response to treatment.

9.3   Identify currently available antiretroviral agents recommended as preferred first-line therapy options.

9.4   Identify sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis prophylaxis regimens.

Lecture Video Updates Objectives

1.     Describe currently available ARV agents and their place in therapy.

2.     Define the mechanisms of ARV interactions in order to predict potential drug-drug and drug-food interactions.

3.     Recognize common and/or serious side effects associated with ARV therapy and appropriate methods of management.

4.     Identify potential barriers to ARV adherence and practical strategies to help overcome them.

Case Study Workshop Teleconference Objectives

1.     Analyze assigned case scenario prior to teleconference.

2.    Discuss and compare therapeutic options and disease management with fellow participants and program faculty.

Estimated Timeline for Completion – Participants are encouraged to finish all phases within 12 weeks.

Phase I:  Pre-Test:  The first step in the HIV Pharmacotherapy CE Program is the completion of an online self-assessment pre-test. This exercise has been designed in a multiple-choice format. There is no pass/fail percentage associated with this pre-test. Participants will receive an automatic scoring response upon completion to assess their knowledge point when beginning this program.

Phase II:  Didactic Online Component:Upon completion of the pre-test, participants will be directed to the didactic material.  This material will include didactic modules, and lecture presentations (presented in an audio synced with PowerPoint format). These lectures include: HIV Pharmacotherapy Review 2019, Addressing Adherence Barriers Managing Antiretroviral Side Effects, and Avoiding and Managing Drug Interactions (DDIs) with Antiretroviral Therapy.  This material will be available for reference throughout the program by downloading, printing or reviewing online. Participants must complete the didactic component prior to moving on to the post-test.

Phase III:  Post-Test Online: After review of the didactic online component, participants will be instructed to complete the online post-test. An automatic score will be generated. Participants will need to score 70% or greater to achieve a passing grade. If a passing score is not achieved, participants will have an opportunity to take the post-test a second time.  

Phase IV:  Case Study Workshop: Once participants have successfully completed the post-test, they will be directed to review the online case and follow the instructions to prepare for the case study workshop teleconference. A schedule of teleconference dates will be posted for participants to select from. Registration for participation on a selected date should be emailed to pharmacyce@buffalo.edu no later than three days in advance. A confirmation email will be provided with the dial-in information.

Phase V:  Program Completion: Once registrants have participanted in a teleconference workshop, they will be directed back to the summary page of the program for the final completion component.  Upon successful completion of the program, ACPE credit will be uploaded to the CPE Monitor within four weeks post-program.

• Linda M. Catanzaro, PharmD, Program Chair, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, NY

• Rustin Crutchley, PharmD, AAHIVP, Clinical Associate Professor, Washington State University, College of Pharmacy, Dept. of Pharmacotherapy, Yakima, WA

• Naomi S. Redd, PharmD, AAHIVP, Risk Management Analyst, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug and Evaluation Research, Office of Surveillance and Epidemiology, Office of Medication Error Prevention and Risk Management, Division of Risk Management, Silver Spring, MD

• Joshua R. Sawyer, PharmD, AAHIVP, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Scientific Manager and Editor, Prohibited and Precautionary Medication Database AIDS Clinical Trials Group

The fee for this course is $275, however group rates are available, please email pharmacyce@buffalo.edu with inquiries.

There are no refunds available for this offering.

The HIV Pharmacotherapy Community Pharmacy CE Program, ACPE #0044-0000-19-048-H02-P is accredited for 16.0 contact hours of knowledged based home study and 1.0 contact hour of application based live pharmacy credit, ACPE # 0044-0000-19-049-L02-P.  The University at Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  No partial credit can be awarded.

Please email pharmacyce@buffalo.edu