Practical Approaches for Improved Management of HCV Treatment Failures

This educational activity is sponsored by The France Foundation and is supported by an educational grant from InterMune.

Program Objectives

• Explain the hepatitis C virus infection and the consequences of treatment failure
• Describe the underlying scientific basis for HCV treatment failure
• Utilize knowledge learned concerning therapeutic options for patients who fail initial HCV treatment to improve the management of treatment failures
• Apply knowledge gained from discussion of cases to enhance outcomes for HCV-infected patients experiencing treatment failure

Educational Need

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States, affecting an estimated four million Americans with an additional 35,000 new cases developing annually. HCV varies greatly in its clinical course and outcome. If undetected or untreated, HCV infection can lead to chronic disease, including liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

An alarming 50% of HCV patients fail the currently accepted standard of care, combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Due to the overall prevalence of HCV and the high percentage of treatment failures, increased education and ongoing research is needed to provide further insights regarding the scientific basis for treatment failures, and exploring therapeutic strategies aimed at optimizing outcomes in patients who fail to respond to first-line therapy.

Activity Goal

This educational activity is designed to provide physicians and other health care providers treating patients with HCV with the tools necessary to recognize and utilize different options when managing treatment failures. This activity will consist of a didactic presentation accompanied by review of applicable case studies and interactive discussion.

Intended Audience

This educational activity is intended for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, and other health care professionals managing patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Accreditation and Designation Statements

CME Statement
The France Foundation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The France Foundation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each participant should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.

CPE Statement
The France Foundation is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. The universal program number is 391-000-05-001-L04. To receive the 1 contact hour of continuing education credit, pharmacists must complete the entire program and all evaluations at its conclusion.

CE Statement
This program has been approved for 1.2 contact hours of continuing education by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Program ID 0501001.

Statement on Conflicts of Interest
Faculty presenters of continuing education activities sponsored by The France Foundation are expected to disclose any real or perceived conflict of interest related to the content of their presentations. Copies of faculty disclosures are included in participant activity materials and/or given prior to the lecture.

Disclaimer
The France Foundation presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.