Innovations in Retinal Therapies: A Managed Care Perspective on Anti-VEGF Advancements

Part of AMCP Nexus Satellites

Program Description

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) are all retinal diseases that have similar pathology involving inflammation and leakage. nAMD occurs when an upregulation of inflammatory cytokines in the retina and choroid leads to the growth of leaky abnormal blood vessels, often resulting in swelling and fibrosis. DR occurs as a complication of diabetes, where damage to blood vessels causes blood and fluid to leak into the retina. It can lead to DME, where the fluid will leak and cause damage inside the macula. Similarly, RVO can manifest to different degrees based on a patient’s history of pre-existing arterial disease. Intravitreal VEGF inhibitors are the most effective treatment for these eye diseases, decreasing the growth of abnormal blood vessels and reducing leakage in the retina. While these treatments are effective, they present unique challenges that contribute to the overall disease burden for patients. Frequent injection appointments, limited access, adverse effects, and high treatment costs hinder adherence rates, leading to increased health care utilization. Managed care pharmacists play a key role in evaluating new and emerging therapies that offer greater durability, reduce treatment burden, and improve patient quality of life. This activity will add to that effort by highlighting real-world data and updates from recent conferences, addressing the challenges patients face when undergoing therapy for retinal diseases, and presenting strategies to apply clinical evidence in managed care decision-making to optimize outcomes, costs, and access to care.

Target Audience: Managed care pharmacists

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: November 7, 2025
Expiration date: November 7, 2026
Learner level: Intermediate
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

1. Identify the clinical and economic burden of certain exudative retinal diseases and key challenges faced by patients and caregivers to inform managed care decision-making.
2. Break down the clinical data and real-world evidence for current and emerging anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and anti-Ang-2 treatments for retinal disease.
3. Employ evidence-based guidelines and real-world evidence to optimize treatment strategies for retinal diseases that balance efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and patient access within managed care settings.

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 1.0 contact hours (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-25-364-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through November 7, 2025.

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.

Disclosures

Bruce I. Gaynes, OD, PharmD, has the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

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

Faculty

Jordana G. Fein, MD, MS, has the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:
Grant/Research Support: Alexion, Apellis, Kyowa Kirin, Ophthea, Regeneron; Consultant: Apellis, Bausch and Lomb, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Genentech/Roche, Regeneron; Speakers Bureau: Apellis, Genentech/Roche, Harrow, Regeneron; Stock: EyePoint Pharmaceuticals

Michael Keiser, PharmD, MBA, has the following relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company to disclose:
Employee of a PBM: Prime Therapeutics

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff: Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Rose Buszka, PharmD, BCPS, CHCP; Sruthi Lakshminarayanan, PharmD; Victoria Chirdo; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose..

Pharmacy Times® Editorial Staff— Aislinn Antrim

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

CPE 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 they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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