ACPE Universal Program Number: 207-000-07-083-H01

Pharmacy CE Release Date: May 23, 2007
Pharmacy CE Expiration Date: May 23, 2010

Case Manager CE Release Date: May 23, 2007
Case Manager CE Expiration Date: May 23, 2008

Statement of Need
In 2003, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) was listed as the fourth leading cause of death in America. In 2004, 11.4 million U.S. adults (aged 18 and over) were estimated to have COPD, costing the nation approximately $37.2 billion in health care expenditures.

Therapies for COPD can only be effective and improve patient outcomes if they are utilized. Studies have shown that adult patients with minimal to moderate airflow limitation who were instructed to utilize bronchodilators three times each day experienced better adherence following study visits. However, adherence with bronchodilators declined in the time between visits. The same study indicated non-adherence is a serious complicating factor in COPD management.

The Medicare Modernization Act brings Medication Therapy Management to the forefront in health care with management of respiratory diseases expressly mentioned in the legislation. Specifically stated, medication therapy management is mandated for targeted high risk beneficiaries, those determined to have multiple chronic disease states, multiple medications, and high drug spend, presenting an opportunity for pharmacists to interact with these at-risk beneficiaries to improve outcomes.

Pharmacists and key team members caring for COPD patients have a huge opportunity to manage the medication therapy of these patients, including counseling and continually reinforcing the importance of adherence to these medicines. Pharmacists and case managers can serve as a conduit for education regarding appropriate dosing and timing of regularly scheduled and as needed medications, the proper technique for inhaled medications, and provide ongoing monitoring and information for family members and caregivers. It is important that pharmacists and case managers are up to date on current COPD recommendations so they can recommend appropriately and provide the most comprehensive COPD medication therapy management possible. According to the 2006 NCPA-Pfizer Digest, community pharmacists discuss drug therapy with prescribers, on average, more than eight times a day.