Metabolic Fate of Pharmaceuticals: A Focus on Slow Metabolizers

Introduction

Genetic polymorphism of drug metabolism is a clinically relevant issue that has been associated with serious clinical consequences, as supported by scientific literature. A subpopulation of individuals who receive second- and third-generation antihistamines are identified as poor metabolizers, and this program is intended for allergists and primary care physicians to raise awareness of the potential issues associated with genetic polymorphism in drug metabolism.

You are invited to participate in a continuing medical education (CME) slide lecture presentation examining the clinical impact of antihistamines in slow metabolizers. This activity consists of a review of slides and accompanying annotations; the post-test and evaluation must be completed in order to earn CME credit.

Objectives

• Define genetic polymorphism of drug metabolism, recognize the poor metabolizer phenotype, and describe prevalence of these poor metabolizers in the general population



• Identify known polymorphisms of drug metabolism, including slow hydroxylation and slow N-acetylation



• Discuss clinical consequences associated with altered drug metabolism in the poor metabolizer population



• Evaluate individuals with genetic polymorphism and improve understanding of interpatient variability in drug metabolism and clinical response

Audience

This CME activity has been developed for pharmacists, allergists and primary care physicians. However, all physicians are welcome to participate. There are no prerequisites to participate in this activity.

Accreditation

PHYSICIANS:

Quintiles Medical Communications (QMC) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor medical education for physicians.

QMC designates this program for maximum of 1.5 hours of AMA Category 1 credit towards the AMA Physician's Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

This CME activity was planned and produced in accordance with ACCME's Accreditation for Interpreting the Essentials as Applied to Continuing Medical Education Enduring Materials.

PHARMACISTS:

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. NCPA has assigned 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) of continuing education credit to this monograph. Eligibility to receive continuing education credit for this activity expires three years from publication date. ACPE # 207-000-02-242-H01

Program Directors

Stephen Brunton, MD
Director of Family Development
Stamford Hospital/Columbia University
Family Practice Residency Program
Stamford, Connecticut

Stephen Brunton, MD, is Director of Family Development at Stamford Hospital/Columbia University in Stamford, Connecticut.

Dr. Brunton received his medical degree from the Monash University Medical School in Melbourne, Australia. He served his residency in Family Practice at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Long Beach, California. He is
board-certified in Family Practice and Geriatrics.

Ketan K. Sheth, MD, MBA
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Indiana University
School of Medicine
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ketan K. Sheth, MD, MBA, is Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is also Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy at the Purdue University School of Pharmacy in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Dr. Sheth received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison, Wisconsin. He served his residency at the Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also completed a fellowship in Allergy/Immunology, Department of Medicine, at the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison, Wisconsin. He is board-certified in Allergy and Immunology as well as in Pediatrics.

Faculty Disclosures

The Faculty Disclosure Policies of QMC require that faculty participating in a continuing education activity disclose to the audience any relationship with a pharmaceutical or equipment company that might pose a potential, apparent, or real conflict of interest with regard to their contribution to the activity. Any discussions of unlabeled or investigational use of any commercial product or device not yet approved in the United States must be disclosed.

The following information was received from course faculty for the CME program Metabolic Fate of Pharmaceuticals: A Focus on Slow Metabolizers. It is not assumed that these financial interests or affiliations will have an adverse impact on faculty presentations. They simply are noted here to fully inform course participants.

Stephen Brunton, MD, serves as a consultant for Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Sepracor and is on the Speakers' Bureau for Aventis Pharmaceuticals and Schering Key.

Ketan Sheth, MD, MBA, serves as a consultant and is on the Speakers' Bureau for Aventis Pharmaceuticals and serves as a consultant for Schering Key.

This activity includes no discussion of investigational therapies or therapies that have not been labeled (FDA approved) for use.

Disclaimer

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient's medical condition. In no event will QMC or Medical Action Communications be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided in this activity.

Acknowledgement

This program is supported by an unrestricted education grant from Aventis Pharmaceuticals and is provided tuition-free to all participants.

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