Fibromyalgia: The Role of the Pharmacist in Patient Education and Therapy Management

Please read through the following information and click continue.

ACPE Universal Program Number: 207-000-09-024-H01-P and 207-000-09-024-H01-T
Release Date: May 8, 2009
Expiration Date: May 8, 2012

Statement of Need
According to a paper published by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million — or as many as one in 50 — Americans. Most people are diagnosed during middle age, although the symptoms often become present earlier in life. Medications can provide symptomatic relief to these patients so that they may maintain activities of daily life. Unfortunately, two studies have researched the adherence level of women with fibromyalgia and found that medication adherence rates ranged from 53-60% when assessed at 2 weeks and 6 months from baseline.

With many fibromyalgia patients experiencing symptoms early in life (and not being diagnosed until middle age), there is an opportunity for community pharmacists to provide education and possibly a physician referral to patients that could be experiencing fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia can present with a long list of potential symptoms, many of which could have multiple causes. Patients initially may attempt to treat these symptoms with over-the-counter remedies or seek the advice of a pharmacist. Community pharmacists provide recommendations and education to millions of patients each month that experience symptoms similar to those seen in fibromyalgia.

In addition, pharmacists can play a vital role in the improvement of patient education, drug therapy management, medication adherence, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. After all, pharmacists are the health care professional seen last by patients before medications are used. Additionally, pharmacists are the most frequently visited health care professional.

Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this activity, the pharmacist should be able to:

1. Define fibromyalgia.
2. Discuss signs and symptoms of a fibromyalgia patient.
3. Discuss treatment options available for symptom relief.
4. Discuss the level of effectiveness of available treatment options.
5. Describe steps to improve patient education and medication adherence through community pharmacist interaction with fibromyalgia patients.

Target Audience
The target audience for this activity is pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Instructions for Participation
To receive a certificate of completion that indicates your eligibility for continuing education credit, you must:

• Review the content of the activity.
• Successfully complete the post-test (70% or higher).
• You will have two (2) opportunities to successfully complete the activity.

Your statement of credit will be issued immediately upon successful completion of the post-test and submission of the evaluation.

Fee
There is no fee for this activity.

Commercial Support Statement
Commercial support provided by Pfizer.

Accreditation
Pharmacists
NCPA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity will provide 1.0 contact hours (.1 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education credit under the number 207-000-09-024-H01-P and 207-000-09-024-H01-T.

Faculty
Kathryn L Hahn, PharmD, DAAPM, CPE (click here to view bio)
Affiliate Faculty, Oregon State University College of Pharmacy
Manager, Bi-Mart Pharmacy
Springfield, Oregon

Disclosure Declaration
It is the policy of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of their continuing education activities.

The author, sponsor, and publisher of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, precautions) and drug delivery systems are subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer's package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.

Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by NCPA of any product or manufacturer identified.

Any medications or treatment methods suggested in this CE activity should not be used by the practitioner without evaluation of their patient's condition(s) and possible contraindication(s) or danger(s) of use of any specific medication.

Software Requirements

PC Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater or Firefox Windows 2000 or greater Sound Card & Speakers 800 x 600 Minimum Monitor Resolution (1024 x 768 Recommended) Flash Player Plug-in (9.0 or later) Check your version here. *Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or later	MAC Internet Explorer is not supported on the Mac Mac OS 10.2.8 Safari or Firefox Sound Card & Speakers 800 x 600 Minimum Monitor Resolution (1024 x 768 Recommended) Flash Player Plug-in (9.0 or later) Check your version here. *Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or later
*Required to view printable version of CE lesson