Back to Basics: Initiating and Monitoring HIV Treatment

Back to Basics: Initiating and Monitoring HIV Treatment is organized by Pharmacy Times Continuing Education (PTCE),Release date: September 30, 2022,Expiration date: September 30, 2023,Description:,In 2019, roughly 37,000 individuals received a new diagnosis of HIV in the United States. It is critical for antiretroviral therapy (ART) to be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis, and measures should be taken for proper direction in care including medication history, physical examination, laboratory evaluation, recording of specific markers, and drug-resistance testing. Pharmacists play an essential role in the initiation of treatment and can assist with optimizing adherence, obtaining access to ART, and maintaining engagement. ART may also need to be modified depending on other conditions or concerns, such as blood glucose, pregnancy, metabolic issues, food insecurity, and co-infection with hepatitis B. Pharmacists are in a unique position as medication experts to provide guidance to people living with HIV. This activity will provide pharmacists with the knowledge to better support people living with HIV in the initial steps following diagnosis including important aspects of medication selection and monitoring of HIV treatment.,Educational Objectives:,At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:,• Personalize the onboarding of a treatment-naïve person with HIV,• Explain the differences between drug-resistance testing for antiretrovirals,• Explore medication criteria to consider when choosing antiretroviral therapy in the context of specific comorbid conditions