Minimizing Injection Burden: Anti-VEGF Innovation for Retinal Disease Management

Program Description

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (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. Diabetic macular edema (DME), a complication of diabetic retinopathy, results from leaky vessels in the macula, rather than the retina. Both diseases share a similar pathophysiology, and the same class of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies has proved efficacious for both nAMD and DME. These therapies are now considered to be the gold standard for treatment of these diseases. These treatments are effective, and it is important for pharmacists to address patient challenges such as frequent injections, limited access, adverse effects, and high costs, which can impact adherence, quality of life, and treatment outcomes. Education on the latest clinical advances in treatments for nAMD/DME, along with strategies for reducing injection burden and improving medication access, can equip specialty and managed care pharmacists with the tools to strengthen their clinical decision-making, expand their expertise in these disease states, and support patients in improving visual outcomes. This activity will review recent clinical trial data and real-world evidence on the safety and efficacy of extended-dosing intervals for anti-VEGF agents, techniques for counseling patients with nAMD/DME, and a pharmacist’s role in supporting patients through prior authorizations. Pharmacists can use this education to better support the eye care team by assessing the benefits and risks of alternative dosing schedules based on individual patient factors, recommending strategies to patients and providers to increase access to medications, and providing patients with the most accurate, up-to-date counseling points on their medications.

Target audience: Managed care and specialty pharmacists

Type of Activity: Application
Release date: December 11, 2025

Expiration date: December 11, 2026

Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hour

Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

1. Explore clinical trial data and patient-specific factors to guide selection and dosing of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents for individuals with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD)
2. Identify strategies to counsel patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) on adherence to anti-VEGF therapy and its impact on visual outcomes
3. Examine clinical data on the efficacy, safety, and extended dosing intervals of long-acting anti-VEGF therapies into formulary decisions and optimize nAMD treatment
4. Analyze the comparative effectiveness and safety profiles of long-acting anti-VEGF agents to support prior authorization and individualized treatment planning in patients with DME

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 0290-0000-25-377-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through November 21, 2026.

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

Arshad M. Khanani, MD, MA, FASRS, has the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose: Consultant: AbbVie, ADARx Pharmaceuticals, Adverum, Alcon, Alkeus, Allgenesis, Amgen, Annexin, Annexon, Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Ashvattha Therapeutics, Astellas, Aviceda Therapeutics, Beacon Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Clearside Biomedical, Complement Therapeutics, 4DMT, Entrada, Exegenesis, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Frontera Therapeutics, Genentech, Harrow, i-Lumen Scientific, InFocus, Iveric Bio, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Kriya Therapeutics, Kyowa Kirin, Lexitas, Merit, Neurotech, Nanoscope, Novartis, Ocugen, Ocular Therapeutix, Oculis, Ocuphire, Ollin, Opthea, Opus Genetics, Perfuse, Recens Medical, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Regenxbio, Revive, RevOpsis, Roche, Samsung, Sanofi, Stealth BioTherapeutics, Sun Pharma, Surrozen, Thea Pharma, Therini, Unity Biotechnology, Vanotech, Vial, ZipBio

Grant/Research Support: Aviceda Therapeutics, Adverum, Alexion, Annexon, Astellas, Biojiva Complement Therapeutics, 4DMT, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Exegenesis, Genentech, Gyroscope Therapeutics, Iveric Bio, Janssen, Kyowa Kirin, Ocular Therapeutix, Ollin, Therapeutix, Regenxbio, Roche, Sanofi, Vanotech

Stock: Ashvattha Therapeutics, Aviceda Therapeutics, Oculis, Ollin, PolyPhotonix, Recens Medical, Perfuse, RevOpsis, Vial, ZipBio

Other (board of directors): Oculis

Drake Reiter, PharmD, has the following relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company to disclose: Consultant: Sun Pharma (via COEUS)

Natalie M. Ryan, PharmD, BCPP, CSP, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

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

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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