HIV Therapy: Addressing Unanswered Questions to Optimize Care

HIV Therapy: Addressing Unanswered Questions to Optimize Care is organized by Pharmacy Times Continuing Education (PTCE),Release date: October 5, 2022,Expiration date: October 5, 2023,Description:,HIV affects individuals in vastly different ways. A new diagnosis requires a series of steps that must be made prior to the initiation of therapy, including analysis of medications and physical standings as well as medication resistance testing. Additionally, as treatment progresses, various monitoring practices should be employed to ensure the efficacy and safety of treatment, including the development of adverse effects and comorbid conditions. Antiretroviral therapy may also require modification if there is inadequate virologic suppression. Barriers to HIV care include socioeconomic status, physical condition, and response to medication. HIV care must be individualized and thoroughly understood for best results, and pharmacists are in an ideal position for optimizing care for persons with HIV. They can keenly assess individuals’ conditions and their medications and make necessary therapy adjustments or recommendations. Pharmacists can also use opportunities for communication to enhance understanding and attention to care. This activity will equip pharmacists to be aware of possible barriers to care and actively work to address them and improve upon them to encourage more inclusive practices in caring for persons with HIV.,Educational Objectives:,At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:,• Explain initiation and monitoring of antiretroviral therapy for both treatment-experienced and treatment-naïve people living with HIV,• Examine potential reasons to switch HIV treatment in the setting of virologic suppression,• Investigate the impact of implicit racial bias, weight gain, and tolerability as barriers to care,• Demonstrate best practices for inclusive HIV care