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Supporting Patients with Myasthenia Gravis: A Pharmacist’s Role in Individualizing Therapy and Improving Patient-Centered Outcomes

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune disease where patients suffer from debilitating fatigable muscle weakness requiring lifelong management. Many patients within the first two years of diagnosis will experience a myasthenic crisis, which can lead to respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, and admission to an intensive care unit. Historically, guideline-based therapies included non-targeted medications for symptom management, corticosteroid use, and steroid-sparring immunosuppression, but there is a lack of robust data supporting these therapies, and adverse events can be a common challenge. Additionally, many patients do not see relief in their symptoms with these therapies. Newer agents including compliment inhibitors and Fc receptor antagonists have paved the way for targeted therapies, which improve disease severity and functional disability. This educational activity will compare different therapeutic options in myasthenia gravis, identify where newer agents fit into individualized treatment, and discuss the important role of the pharmacist in improving patient outcomes.

Tuesday, Dec. 10
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. CT (12:30 - 2 p.m. ET)

Symposium Location: Room 289, Level 2, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Come early! Seating is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can't make it to New Orleans? Tune into the Free Live Webinar Broadcast.
Registration is required for the webinar.

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Speakers

Andrew J. Webb PharmD, BCCCP, Activity Chair
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Neurocritical Care
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts

Andrew J. Webb, PharmD, BCCCP is a neurocritical care clinical pharmacy specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. He completed his undergraduate studies and Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island and then completed his PGY1 pharmacy residency at Mayo Clinic followed by a PGY2 in critical care at Oregon Health & Science University. He serves on several interprofessional institutional and professional organization committees, including the MGH Department of Neurology Quality and Patient Safety committee where has helped implement medication safety initiatives to ensure safe medication practices for patients with rare neurologic conditions including myasthenia gravis. Dr. Webb has also served as part of the Pharmacotherapy Specialty Recertification Literature Study and is an expert faculty member in Critical Care for ASHP.

Neelam Goyal, MD
Clinical Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine
Stanford University
Palo Alto, California

Neelam Goyal, MD is a Clinical Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences in the division of Neuromuscular Medicine. She earned her medical degree at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, NY. Subsequently, she completed her neurology residency, which included a chief year, followed by a fellowship year in neurophysiology, specializing in neuromuscular disorders and EMG nerve conduction studies at Stanford University Medical Hospital. Dr. Goyal focuses on the diagnosis, management, and electrophysiological testing of neuromuscular disorders, including SFEMG. Her expertise extends to immune-mediated disorders such as myositis, myasthenia gravis, CIDP, and vasculitis. Her research interests involve monitoring and managing the short and long-term toxicity of immunosuppressive agents. She is actively involved in a grant-supported project investigating steroid toxicity in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Target Audience

This activity was planned to meet the educational needs of pharmacists who practice in hospitals, health systems, and ambulatory infusion centers who care for or are interested in the care of patients with myasthenia gravis.

Learning Objectives

Describe the pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis and the safety and efficacy for guideline-based therapy.
Evaluate evidence of new and emerging treatments for myasthenia gravis including their mechanism of action, pharmacology, clinical trial data, and real-world evidence.
Apply evidence-based approaches to individualize patient-centered treatment and provide patient counseling to improve patient safety and adherence.

Agenda

11:30 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions
Andrew J. Webb
11:35 a.m. – The Gravity of Myasthenia Gravis: Pathophysiology and Treatment Landscape
Neelam Goyal
11:50 a.m. – Strengthening Knowledge of New Treatments for Myasthenia Gravis
All Faculty
12:20 p.m. – The Critical Role Pharmacists Play in Individualizing Care and Improving Patient Outcomes in Myasthenia Gravis
Andrew J. Webb
12:50 p.m. – Faculty Discussion, Questions and Answers
All Faculty

Accredited for CPE

ACPE #: #: 0204-0000-24-410-L01-P
CE Credit: 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEUs)
Activity Type: Application-based
Activity Fee: No charge

To Claim CE for the webinar, enter the CE code announced during the activity and complete the evaluation.