Chronic Liver Disease in Transition: The Rise of MASLD over NAFLDAs the worldwide incidence of obesity and subsequent metabolic comorbid diseases increase, so too has the incidence of metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). MASH affects over 60 million Americans and is the most rapidly increasing indication for liver transplant in patients without hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite its increasing prevalence, MASH is still underrecognized in clinical practice. In June of 2023, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), on behalf of the pan-national consensus panel, announced a new nomenclature for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to destigmatize the name and diagnosis of the disease. The members of the consensus panel identified the term steatotic liver disease (SLD) as an overarching term to encompass the various etiologies of steatosis. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) was the name chosen to replace NAFLD. Updated clinical guidance places an emphasis on non-invasive risk stratification and diagnostic tests, as well as therapeutic treatment options, and several drugs have been approved for the treatment of MASH-associated comorbidities which may also have potential benefit in MASLD. This case-based session will highlight the role of the pharmacist in increasing access to care for patients with MASLD/MASH through understanding of the destigmatizing nomenclature, importance of early referral for diagnostic testing, and utilizing updated treatment guidelines to select the optimal therapeutic regimen for this patient population. |
Clinical Pearls in the Care of Special PopulationsPatients who are pregnant or receiving specialty medications require increased monitoring and detailed review of medications. These patients may encounter many healthcare teams during the course of their treatment that may not be familiar with the nuanced needs of their care. With treatments rapidly evolving, this session will provide pharmacists practicing in a variety of settings with guideline updates, clinical pearls, and evidence-based tools in the prevention and management of potentially severe toxicities. Case-based scenarios will be utilized to examine specific special populations of transplant, pregnancy, pediatrics, and oncology patients. Each thirty-minute presentation will include audience polling and active learning techniques. |
Advancing Pharmacy Practice and Compensation: Updates on Health Legislation and Payment PolicyNavigating ever-changing United States healthcare laws can be challenging. This presentation will focus on recent major healthcare law updates impacting pharmacists so they may stay current, compliant, and informed. It will delve into federal and state regulatory changes and emerging trends, including updates on payment and policy reform initiatives, requirements for collaborative practice agreements or protocols by state, compensation for comprehensive clinical pharmacy services, and how recent legislation may impact clinical practice. Practicing pharmacists across all settings will have much to gain by attending this informative application-based session. |
Demystifying Estimates of Kidney FunctionDose-adjusting medications for chronic or acute kidney impairment is critical to maintain efficacy and mitigate the toxicity of many medications. Pharmacists face challenges in choosing best practices for determining kidney function and estimating this appropriately in the setting of acute changes in hemodynamic status. This session will examine updates such as removing race from equations for estimating kidney function and transitioning to the use of eGFR for drug-related decision-making and how these concepts influence patient care. Case-based scenarios will be presented throughout to examine the best ways to dose medications eliminated via the kidneys. |
Don't Miss a Beat: Guideline Updates in CardiologyCardiology care is rapidly evolving. Traditionally, the process of updating cardiovascular disease guidelines has been time-consuming, sometimes spanning a decade or more. Recent efforts by organizations such as the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have expedited this process, particularly in key areas like atrial fibrillation, chronic coronary disease, acute coronary syndromes, and peripheral artery disease. Some of the previous guidelines for these conditions have been used in clinical practice since 2013, underscoring the pressing need for up-to-date recommendations. The goal of this program is to provide attendees with a well-rounded understanding of the most important practice-changing updates in cardiology, including how they can best influence patient care, apply treatment strategies, and plan for long-term outcomes. Experts in cardiology will highlight key information from newer guidelines in a panel format followed by a speaker Q & A. |
Hot Off The Press: Late Breaking Studies That Will Change Your PracticeThe goal of this program is to present 4 practice-changing, late-breaking studies in the areas of oncology, rheumatology, neurology, and antithrombotic therapy in a rapid-fire review. Presentations will be delivered using a “speed dating” approach in which experts in their specialty area have a limited amount of time to present key data. These presentations will summarize recently published literature that is expected to change future guidelines and current practice. |
I Can't Drive 55! A Review of New Therapeutic Agents and Recommendations for the Management of LipidsSince the publication of the 2018 guidelines for the management of blood cholesterol, the development of new recommendations and the availability of new therapeutic agents have impacted the management of dyslipidemia. The first session of this program will review current therapy recommendations according to the most recent guidelines, including a review of the evidence suggesting that decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels should be targeted for patients at increased risk of cardiovascular events. It will also discuss evidence supporting the use of novel, non-statin therapies and their place in therapy. The second portion of the program will involve a pro-con debate that will review the application of new and existing medications that may have a role in reaching lower LDL-C targets to a series of patient cases. |
ID Odyssey: Exploring Updates and New Horizons in Infectious DiseaseThe management of common infectious diseases across the spectrum of care continues to rapidly evolve. Several key updates to clinical practice guidelines including community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI) and emerging literature have been published recently. Several clinical practice dogmas in infectious diseases have also recently come under question and evidence continues to expand related to shorter versus longer durations and intravenous versus oral therapy for many infectious diseases. This program will highlight significant changes in these areas, focusing on treatment strategies and evidence surrounding clinical conundrums in infectious disease. This session aims to equip pharmacists with a well-rounded understanding of these key updates in common infectious diseases across care settings by incorporating interactive learning techniques and case studies. |
Influencing Health: Navigating Medication Consumerism on Social Media and Person-Centric Language Across Health ConditionsAs of 2023, over 100 million Americans have made medication and supplement purchases via social media applications with little information on their efficacy or the regulation of medication information. Healthcare decisions, once held only in the privacy of a medical office or hospital setting, are now being shared and explored by a larger audience who seek testimonials and shared experience ahead of medical recommendation. This session seeks to explore how social media influences medication requests and the risks associated with counterfeit drugs, as well as how non-person-centered language and inconsistent use of persons' identities can harm quality of care. Strategies for promoting person-centered language in healthcare, fostering equity, reducing misinformation, and insights into how to address these challenges will be explored through panel discussions and audience polling. |
Mental Health Across the AgesThe focus on and advancement of treatment for mental health has evolved rapidly over the past few years. Treatment for mental health conditions in pediatric and older adult populations, in particular, continue to evolve and with that progress, medication shortages have become a more common problem for clinical pharmacists to overcome in service to these patients. This session will focus on key aspects of mental health in the patient populations of pediatrics, adults, and older adults. Part one of the session will start with discussion of ADHD medication use in both pediatric and adult patients and provide attendees with updates and guidance on management of drug shortages within this area. Part two of the session will include a discussion of the new monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and those who would most benefit from this emerging therapy. The knowledge-based activity will include lectures, examples, and audience participation. |
TECH Talk: The Evolving Role of Smart Technology and Devices in HealthcareAdvancements in technology have led to the growth of patient wearables and self-monitoring devices. The use of smart technology in healthcare is rapidly changing the paradigm for chronic disease management in outpatient and acute care settings. This program, led by a panel of experts on the use of these technologies, aims to summarize the evidence for benefits, limitations, and best practices for the use of patient wearables and self-monitoring devices across care settings. Healthcare-related smart devices reviewed during this program may include, but are not limited to, smart inhalers, remote physiologic monitoring, implantable cardiac monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring, and adherence monitoring systems. |
A Long and Winding Road: The Changing Landscape of Post-Acute Sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 InfectionIn an era where information on post-acute sequelae of SARS – CoV-2 infection (PASC) is evolving at a rapid pace, it is imperative for pharmacists to be well-prepared to navigate this complex terrain, both now and in the future. This comprehensive two-part talk aims to empower pharmacists with the latest insights and strategies for managing patients with PASC effectively. The first part will review the dynamic nature of PASC information, focusing on how risk factors and terminology have evolved, the most recent epidemiology/prevalence, symptoms and complications, and diagnosis of PASC. The second part will discuss the pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of PASC and the pharmacist's role. |
The Next Step in Medication Reconciliation: Integrating Comprehensive Medication Management Strategies at Care TransitionsPharmacists are the medication experts and play an important role in transitions of care. Medications can be continued without indications, and guideline-directed medical therapy can be inappropriately discontinued during hospitalization. This activity will raise awareness of the role of comprehensive medication management as a framework for identifying and addressing medication errors and optimizing medication therapy during transitions of care. Each thirty-minute presentation will include
audience polling and active learning techniques. |
Weighting on the World to Change: Updates on the Management of Overweight and ObesityEmerging data on the clinical benefits of incretin-based pharmacotherapy for the management of persons with overweight or obesity has brought glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonists to the forefront of patient-provider conversations, popular media, and policy discussions. Anticipated multi-society guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity and an increasingly robust pipeline of incretin-based and other peptide therapies will have a significant impact on the future of cardiometabolic care. Evidence supporting new agents for weight management, the most recent practice guidelines related to this chronic condition, and national policy updates related to coverage for these agents will be reviewed during this program. In addition, this session will allow the speakers to share their practice experience working with this patient population and allow for a discussion of the benefits and challenges of a pharmacist-led service for people who are overweight or obese. |