Optimizing Clinical and Cost Outcomes in Multiple Sclerosis through Improved Symptom Management

On-demand Webcast/Monograph

Sponsored by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC

Presenters/Q&A Cohosts

Bruce A. Cohen, MD
Professor, Davee Department of Neurology
Director, Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Program
Feinberg School of Medicine
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois

Eric Cannon, PharmD, FAMCP
Chief of Pharmacy
Director of Health and Wellness
SelectHealth, an Intermountain Healthcare Company
Murray, Utah

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe the clinical and economic impact of undertreated multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms
• Outline the benefits and limitations of available management strategies for common MS symptoms, including fatigue, depression, spasticity, impaired mobility, and urinary bladder dysfunction
• Reduce barriers to pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic ambulation interventions
• Promote optimal MS symptom management among in-plan clinicians to improve clinical and cost outcomes

Intended Learners

This activity is designed for managed markets physicians and pharmacists. 

Activity Overview

This on-demand webcast is available with synchronized slides and audio. The monograph is available in print and PDF format.

To be eligible for documentation of credit, participants must complete one of the educational activities, complete the 10-question online post-test with a score of 70% or better, and complete the evaluation form. After successful completion of the post-test and evaluation form online at www.naccme.com, participants may immediately print their documentation of credit.

There is no fee associated with this activity.

Participants who have successfully completed the live version of this activity are not eligible to receive credit for these enduring materials.

This educational activity is a knowledge-based activity.

Release Date: November 15, 2010
Expiration Date: November 15, 2011
Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

For questions regarding this activity, please call 609-371-1137.

Hardware/Software Requirements

All educational activities are accessible via a computer with 650 MHz PC, 128 MB RAM, Windows or MAC operating system, Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Safari browsers. Windows Media Player, sound card, and speakers are required for streamed audio. Flash Player, sound card, and speakers are required for video programs. A PDF reader is required for print publications. Please direct technical questions to webmaster@naccme.com.

CME Accreditation

North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC (NACCME) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

NACCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CPE Accreditation

North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC (NACCME) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education (UAN 276-000-10-023-H01-P).

Any participant wanting to file a grievance with respect to any aspect of a continuing pharmacy education activity accredited by NACCME may contact Kristen Jassin, Assistant Director, Accreditation Services, NACCME, in writing at 300 Rike Drive, Suite A, Millstone Township, NJ 08535, or by e-mail at kjassin@naccme.com. The Assistant Director, Accreditation Services will review the grievance and respond within 30 days of receiving the written statement. If the participant is unsatisfied with the response, an appeal to the Senior Director, Accreditation Services, NACCME, may be made for a second level of review.

Independent Clinical Reviewer: Darin T. Okuda, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center, San Francisco, California

Medical writer Deborah Neveleff contributed to the writing and editing of the monograph article.

Planning Committee

The planning committee comprises Eric Cannon, PharmD, FAMCP, Bruce A. Cohen, MD, Darin T. Okuda, MD; Mary Johnson, Mike Kearney, Nick Lombardi, Randy Robbin, John Savage, and Jessica Steuerman, NACCME.

Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest  

According to the disclosure policy of NACCME, faculty, editors, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with relevant commercial companies related to this activity. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict is identified, it is the responsibility of NACCME to initiate a mechanism to resolve the conflict(s). The existence of these interests or relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the presentation.

All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies reported, and levels of evidence.

The faculty has reported the following:

The faculty has reported the following:
Dr. Cannon: Consultant—First Data Bank
Dr. Cohen: Grant/research support—Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Inc, Novartis, sanofi-aventis U.S., Teva Neuroscience; Consultant—Acorda Therapeutics, Bayer, Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Inc, Novartis, sanofi-aventis U.S., Teva Neuroscience; Promotional speakers bureau—Bayer, Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Inc, Teva Neuroscience; Stock shareholder—Abbott Laboratories, CVS-Caremark
Dr. Okuda: Grant/research support—Pfizer, Inc, EMD Serono, Inc

Ms. Johnson, Mr. Kearney, Ms. Neveleff, Mr. Robbin, Mr. Savage, and Ms. Steuerman have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

Mr. Lombardi: Stock shareholder—Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc, ViroPharma, Inc, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

NACCME requires faculty to inform participants whenever off-label/unapproved uses of drugs and/or devices are discussed in their presentations.

The faculty has disclosed that the following off-label/unapproved use(s) of drugs and/or devices will be discussed: the use of amantadine and modafinil in the treatment of MS-related fatigue; the use of donepezil in the treatment of MS-related cognitive impairment; and the use of tamsulin and terzosin in the treatment of sphincter hypertonia.

Privacy Policy

NACCME protects the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants, educational partners, and joint sponsors. NACCME and our joint sponsors will not release personally identifiable information to a third party without the individual's consent, except such information as is required for reporting purposes to the appropriate accrediting agency.

NACCME maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

Copyright © 2010 by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this accredited continuing education activity may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without first obtaining permission from North American Center for Continuing Medical Education.

Grant Support

Supported by an educational grant from Acorda Therapeutics Inc.