Advancing Patient-Centered Care in Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Macular Edema Through Specialty Pharmacy Support

This activity was originally presented live at Asembia's AXS26 Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada

Program Description

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are leading causes of vision loss that impose significant clinical and economic burdens for patients. While both conditions share the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, they are each driven by different underlying pathophysiologic and systemic factors. Despite major advances with anti-VEGF agents, long-term management in nAMD and DME remains challenging due to limited durability of effect, the need for frequent intravitreal injections, and considerable adherence and logistical barriers that can compromise visual outcomes and increase health care costs. This program will equip pharmacists with the most recent clinical and real-world evidence on extended-durability anti-VEGF and dual-pathway therapies for nAMD and DME, as well as insights from pivotal trials and guideline recommendations supporting individualized, evidence-based treatment selection. Additionally, the session will highlight the value of pharmacist engagement in optimizing patient care with proven approaches to navigating access and coverage pathways, facilitating prior authorization processes, and identifying patient-specific barriers to enhance treatment continuity, improve adherence, and preserve visual acuity in these patients.

Target audience: Managed Care Pharmacist, Specialty Pharmacist
Type of activity: Application
Release date: May 12, 2026
Expiration date: May 12, 2027
Learner level: Intermediate
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain the unmet needs and treatment burdens associated with conventional anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME)
• Analyze recent clinical trials and real-world data on the safety, effectiveness, and durability of current and emerging treatments for nAMD and DME
• Apply real-world evidence and patient-specific clinical factors to inform individualized treatment recommendations and support optimal care for patients with nAMD and DME

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 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-26-119-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through May 12, 2027.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Faculty

Arghavan Almony, MD, has the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Consultant: Coherus BioSciences, Cardinal Health, Genentech
Speakers Bureau: Genentech

The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Faculty

Sneha Sharma, PharmD

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff—Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Rose Buszka,; Kylie Ferrentino; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta

Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer

Continuing professional education activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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