HIV Therapies: A Primer for Pharmacy Technicians
Activity Overview
Please read the following information about this continuing pharmacy education (CPE) activity before accessing the presentation using links located at the bottom of this page.
Accreditation for Pharmacists
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity provides 1 hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit (ACPE activity #0204-0000-13-441-H02-T).
Target Audience
This continuing pharmacy education series was planned to meet the needs of pharmacy technicians in a variety of settings, and it would be particularly beneficial for pharmacy technicians, supervisors, and educators who are interested in an introduction to HIV therapies.
Activity Content
Antiviral agents used to treat or prevent HIV infections (also known as antiretroviral agents) are complex agents that are frequently subject to prescribing and dispensing errors. Outside of infectious diseases specialists, the general medical and pharmacy community may not deal with these agents enough to optimize the use of these agents in patients with HIV infection. This educational initiative is designed to educate pharmacy technicians about antiretroviral medications used to treat and prevent HIV infection in any practice setting. Pharmacy technicians can help patients and pharmacists by knowing what formulations are available. They can also ensure diligence with any cautionary labels or interactions recommended during the dispensing process. Pharmacy technicians may also be asked to order, store, or compound antiretroviral agents that have unique stability or storage requirements. Pharmacy technicians working in hospitals or clinics should understand the importance of using antiretroviral agents for occupational HIV exposure amongst health care workers.
Learning Objectives
After participating in this knowledge-based educational activity, participants should be able to
- List antiretroviral agents that are available in combination products.
- Describe ways to deliver antiretroviral therapy to patients who have difficulty swallowing oral medications.
- Explain the general approach to using antiretroviral agents for occupational HIV exposure in health care workers.
Faculty
Douglas Slain, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP, FASHP
Associate Professor and Infectious Diseases Clinical Specialist
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
Douglas Slain, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP, FASHP is an associate professor and anti-infective specialist at West Virginia University (WVU). He received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He also completed a residency and fellowship in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.
Dr. Slain is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Additionally, Dr. Slain was selected as “Clinician of the Year” by the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists in 2007.
Dr. Slain’s clinical practice sites at WVU include the infectious diseases consult service and the outpatient infectious diseases clinic.
Disclosure Statement
In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s Standards for Commercial Support and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education’s Guidelines for Standards for Commercial Support, ASHP requires that all individuals involved in the development of activity content disclose their relevant financial relationships. A person has a relevant financial relationship if the individual or his or her spouse/partner has a financial relationship (e.g., employee, consultant, research grant recipient, speakers bureau, or stockholder) in any amount occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services may be discussed in the educational activity content over which the individual has control. The existence of these relationships is provided for the information of participants and should not be assumed to have an adverse impact on presentations.
All faculty and planners for ASHP education activities are qualified and selected by ASHP and required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. ASHP identifies and resolves conflicts of interest prior to an individual’s participation in development of content for an educational activity.
The following faculty and planners have no relationships pertinent to this activity.
Douglas Slain, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP, FASHP
Sylvia Q. Banzon, B.A., CPhT, CQIA, HACP, PMP, TFCSHP
Edna Bowser, CPhT
Rebecca B. Brewer, CPhT
Al Carter, Pharm.D., M.S.
Angela Cassano, Pharm.D., BCPS, FASHP
Donna Hamilton, M.B.A., B.S.Pharm.
Mary McHugh, B.S.Pharm.
Bradley Miller, CPhT, PhTR
Erin M. Ryman, B.S., CPhT
Rita Shane, Pharm.D., FASHP, FCSHP
Angela Triggs, B.S.Pharm.
ASHP staff has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Methods and Format
This activity is available in three formats:
- Web-Based CE. An online activity consisting of audio and slides (optional PDF handout with slides):
Launch Presentation - Podcast. An audio-only version of the presentation that can be downloaded to your computer or portable MP3 player (optional PDF handout with slides)
Launch Podcast - Monograph. E-publication
Launch Monograph
Participants must complete the entire activity, take the activity assessment and evaluation to receive continuing education credit. A minimum score of 70% is required on the test for credit to be awarded. A copy of the assessment test is provided as a study aid in the handout. CE credit will be reported directly to CPE Monitor. The estimated time to complete this activity is 1 hour (allow additional time to complete the assessment and evaluation).