Update on the Drug Therapy Management of Allergic Rhinitis

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ACPE Universal Program Number: 207-000-09-027-H01-P and 207-000-09-027-H01-T
Release Date: June 12, 2009
Expiration Date: June 12, 2012

Statement of Need
Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States and cost the healthcare system $18 billion annually. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is a very common medical problem affecting more than 15 percent of the population, both adults and children.

Allergic rhinitis takes two different forms: seasonal and perennial. When no specific cure is available, patients are left with the following options: ignoring symptoms, avoiding or decreasing exposure to irritants or allergens to the extent practical, and taking medications for symptom relief.

There are many ways of treating allergies, and each person's treatment must be individualized based on the frequency, severity and duration of symptoms and on the degree of allergic sensitivity.

With numerous treatment options available over-the-counter, patients frequently visit their local pharmacist first for medical advice on allergic rhinitis. The 2007 Wilson Rx Pharmacy Customer Satisfaction Survey reports that the average pharmacy customer visits their pharmacy an average of 2-3 times per month, nearly 12-fold the number of times they visit their primary care doctor and 16 times more often than they visit a specialist physician in a year. The 2007 Pharmacy Times OTC Recommendation Survey reports that pharmacists provided nearly 2.1 million recommendations per month on allergy and hay fever remedies.

Additionally, the 2007 NCPA-Pfizer Digest reported pharmacists discussing patient drug therapy with physicians or other health care professionals nearly 8 times a day. Ninety percent of pharmacists also reported offering therapeutic interchange recommendations during their interaction with other health care professionals. Seventy-five percent of the time, these recommendations were accepted.

Pharmacists can play a key role in the management of allergic rhinitis due to their frequent interaction with not only the patient, but other health care providers as well. Thus, it is vital for pharmacists to keep abreast of current allergy and hay fever products and understand the most appropriate treatment options for each specific patient. Current knowledge of this topic provide the community pharmacist with the necessary tools to properly educate patients on appropriate treatment options, as well as understand the severity level of the condition so that proper referral to a physician can occur when available treatment options have failed or are not appropriate for the patient.

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

1. State key questions to ask patients in order to determine type and severity of rhinitis and if physician referral is necessary.
2. Describe the difference between intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis and outline the treatment options available for each.
3. Describe the mechanism of action, proper administration, common adverse events, and key patient counseling points of medications used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
4. Explain the level of efficacy for each class of medication in symptom reduction for allergic rhinitis.
5. Describe steps to improve patient adherence with treatment regimens.

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 Glaxo SmithKline and Sanofi Aventis.

Accreditation
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 207-000-09-027-H01-P and 207-000-09-027-H01-T.

Faculty
Maria Marzella Sulli, PharmD, CGP (click here to view bio)
Associate Clinical Professor
St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
Wellness Coordinator
King Kullen Pharmacy Wellness Place
Seaford, New York

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

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