The Role of the Managed Care in Optimizing Treatment for ALS: The Impact of Early Intervention, Patient-Centered Care, and Disease-Modifying Therapies in Slowing Progression

Audience: This activity is intended for healthcare professionals practicing in managed care environments.

This activity is supported by an educational grant from
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America

Description:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. An estimated 20,000 people in the United States are living with ALS. It is a progressive disease in which the motor neurons eventually die. Mortality is usually the result of respiratory failure. Although most patients with ALS die within 3 to 5 years after symptoms first appear, about 20% of patients with ALS will live 5 years, 10% will live 10 years, and about 5% will live 20 years or more. Currently, there is no cure for ALS. Fortunately for patients with ALS, the treatment paradigm has expanded in recent years, giving medical directors and clinicians many more options in managing symptoms and delaying progression in the ALS patient population. Additionally, these treatments have now changed administration methods, giving clinicians and managed care professionals more options for ALS patients and members. With new options expanding the treatment armamentarium in ALS, a knowledge gap has been created, making it imperative that managed care physician medical directors, practicing physicians, pharmacists, payers, nurses and other healthcare professionals who manage ALS patient populations have a solid understanding of differing options to optimize both costs and patient outcomes in their therapeutic application.

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Assess the clinical and economic burden of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including factors that contribute to poor prognosis and increased costs
• Explain the pathogenesis associated with ALS, the disparities and barriers that may impede early diagnosis and clinical intervention, and the impact on patient and caregiver quality of life
• Evaluate the efficacy and safety of FDA-approved and emerging disease-modifying therapies for the treatment and management of ALS, including mechanisms of action, administration, dosing, potential adverse effects, and monitoring parameters
• Explore the evolving role of oral therapy administration in the management of patients with ALS
• Identify the role of managed care professionals in making clinical recommendations for the treatment and management of ALS, in educating patients and caregivers about current and emerging therapies, and in monitoring patient response to therapy, adherence, and potential adverse effects

Faculty:
Hiroshi Mitsumoto, MD, DSc
Wesley J Howe Professor of Neurology
Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center
Department of Neurology
Columbia University Medical Center
hm264@cumc.columbia.edu

Disclosure Information:
As accredited providers, NAMCP and AAMCN must ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of their activities. All faculty participating in this activity are required to disclose to NAMCP/AAMCN any financial relationships with ineligible companies. NAMCP/AAMCN in turn discloses all relevant financial conflicts to the learners. NAMCP/AAMCN disclosure policy adheres to The Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. See below for conflicts of interest.

Disclosures (Relevant Financial Relationships with Ineligible Companies in the Last 24 Months):
Dr. Mitsumoto has served as a consultant for Tsumura & Co. He has received grant/research support from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Planning Committee Disclosures (Relevant Financial Relationships with Ineligible Companies in the Last 24 Months):
Bill Williams, MD has no relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company to disclose.
Jeremy Williams has no relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company to disclose.
Jacqueline Cole, RN, MS, CMCN has no relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company to disclose.

NAMCP and/or the presenter has copyright or has received permissions for use of materials provided in this activity.

Accreditation & Designation
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP) and American Association of Managed Care Nurses (AAMCN). The National Association of Managed Care Physicians is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

NAMCP designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)^TM. Each physician should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The American Association of Managed Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Nurses who complete this activity and achieve a passing score will receive 1 hour in nursing continuing professional development.

This activity has been approved by the American Board of Managed Care Nursing for 1.0 contact hours toward CMCN recertification requirements.

NAMCP and/or this website do not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. NAMCP does not endorse or imply endorsement of the content on any linked website. This website is to be used as an informational resource. With any health-related concern, consult with your physician or healthcare professional.

This activity is supported by an educational grant from
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America

NAMCP and/or this website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NAMCP does not endorse or imply endorsement of the content on any linked website. This website is to be used as an informational resource. With any health related concern, consult with your physician or healthcare professional.