Pharmacy-Based Lipid Management

Current open-enrollment offerings

Pharmacy-Based Lipid Management is a two part certificate training program that enhances pharmacists' current knowledge of the pathophysiology and treatment of dyslipidemias using the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults guidelines. This innovative program will enable pharmacists to recommend optimal treatment strategies for patients with lipid disorders in collaboration with other healthcare professions by focusing on practical tools, techniques, and information to assist in establishing successful pharmacist-conducted lipid management services.

There are three components to the certificate training program:

• 11 hour (1.1 CEU) self-study modules with case studies and assessment exam
• 8 hour (0.8 CEU) live seminar with final exam
• Hands-on assessment of fingerstick blood collection during seminar

The goals of the certificate training program are to:

• Enhance participants' current knowledge of the pathophysiology and treatment of lipid disorders
• Educate participants about the optimal treatment strategies for patients at varying degrees of cardiovascular risk with various co-morbidities
• Introduce participants to point-of-care testing technology that can be employed in the management of patients with lipid disorders
• Provide practical tools, techniques, and information to assist participants in establishing successful pharmacist-conducted lipid management services

Self-Study Learning Objectives

• Name the major plasma lipoproteins and describe how they are transported and catabolized in the body
• Explain the relationship between lipids and atherosclerosis
• Describe how patients are assigned to risk categories based on lipid profile results and the presence or absence of risk factors for coronary heart disease
• Identify the target LDL cholesterol levels and other target lipid levels for patients in various risk categories
• Discuss the role of therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) - dietary therapy, physical activity, weight reduction, and smoking cessation - in the treatment of dyslipidemias
• Outline the components of the TLC diet, including the possible contributions of plant stanols/sterols and viscous fibers
• List the drugs used to treat dyslipidemias and describe the mechanism of action, dosing, adverse effects, and drug interactions associated with each
• Identify important considerations in initiating, modifying, and monitoring drug therapy for dyslipidemias, including considerations in certain special situations (e.g., patients with diabetes or hypertension)
• Describe the components of the "5 A's" framework for behavioral counseling and explain how these can be applied to help patients adhere to medication therapy regimens
• Identify aspects of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) that pertain to point-of-care lipid testing
• Define the factors necessary to ensure reliable test results when performing point-of-care lipid testing
• Outline the steps involved in implementing a pharmacy-based lipid management service
• Discuss important considerations in documenting, marketing, and obtaining compensation for lipid management services

Live Seminar Learning Objectives

• Review the physiology of lipoprotein transport and pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
• Use the National Cholesterol Education Program nine-step process to determine cardiovascular risk and identify treatment goals and strategies for various types of patients
• Select the most appropriate initial drug therapy for a patient, based on the patient's current and target LDL cholesterol levels and other relevant factors
• Explain how drug therapy should be modified based on progress toward target lipid goals and tolerability
• Demonstrate proper technique for obtaining a fingerstick blood sample from patients
• Make recommendations for patient-specific lifestyle modifications, including, but not limited to dietary changes, physical activity, weight loss, and tobacco cessation
• Discuss specific strategies for designing and implementing a successful pharmacy-based lipid management service

The American Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as providers of continuing pharmacy education.

The self-study learning portion of the Pharmacy-Based Lipid Management certificate training program is approved for 11 hours (1.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit (UAN: 202-000-08-149-H01-P). The live training seminar is approved for 8 hours (0.8 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education credit (UAN: 202-000-08-150-L01-P). 

Completion Information: A Certificate of Achievement is awarded to participants who successfully complete all activity requirements, which include the self-study component, live training seminar, and the hands-on assessment.  Successful completion is defined as a score of 70% or better on both the self-study and live seminar assessments.  

For expanded information on the program curriculum and agenda, contact the Certificate Training Department by e-mailing ctp@aphanet.org or calling 202-429-7512.

Pharmacy-Based Lipid Management was developed by APhA and supported by an educational grant from Johnson & Johnson - Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co.