Archives

PrEP to Put PEP in Your Step: Updates on the Prevention of HIV

Learning Objectives

  After completing this application-based continuing education activity, pharmacists will be able to
•       Recognize the role of single agent PEP in improving adherence and its potential drawbacks
•       Apply advancements in PrEP delivery to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes in preventing HIV infection
•       Identify outcome improvements from newer PrEP and PEP modalities to inform guideline-based clinical decision-making
After completing this application-based continuing education activity, pharmacy technicians will be able to:
•       Describe the barriers to adherence for PrEP/PEP and the role of regular patient interactions for improving outcomes
•       Apply correct handling, storage, and preparation procedures for oral and injectable PrEP/PEP therapies within the pharmacy workflow
•       Distinguish commonly used PrEP and PEP products based on their formulation and route of administration

Release Date:

Release Date:  June 4, 2026

Expiration Date: June 4, 2029

Course Fee

Pharmacist $7

Pharmacy Technician $4

There is no funding for this CPE activity.

ACPE UANs

Pharmacist: 0009-9999-26-018-H02-P

Pharmacy Technician: 0009-9999-26-018-H02-T

Session Codes

Pharmacist: 26UC18-TAG35

Pharmacy Technician: 26UC18-GAT53

Accreditation Hours

0.05 CEU   (0.5 Contact Hour)

Accreditation Statements

The University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  Statements of credit for the online activity ACPE UAN 0009-9999-26-018-H02-P/T  will be awarded when the post test and evaluation have been completed and passed with a 70% or better. Your CE credits will be uploaded to your CPE monitor profile within 2 weeks of completion of the program.

 

Disclosure of Discussions of Off-label and Investigational Drug Use

The material presented here does not necessarily reflect the views of The University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences or its co-sponsor affiliates. These materials may discuss uses and dosages for therapeutic products, processes, procedures and inferred diagnoses that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. A qualified health care professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product discussed. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this continuing education activity.

Faculty

Audi Putri, PharmD

PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident, UConn Health

Farmington, CT

 

Tyler Vaglivelo, PharmD

PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident, UConn Health

Farmington, CT           

 

Gillian Kuszewski, PharmD

University Director of Pharmacy Residency Programs

Co-Chair of Antimicrobial Stewardship, UConn Health

Farmington, CT

 

Jeffrey Aeschlimann, PharmD

Associate Professor, UConn School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Adjunct Associate Professor, UConn School of Medicine

Farmington, CT


 

Faculty Disclosure

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Criteria for Quality and Interpretive Guidelines, The University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences requires that faculty disclose any relationship that the faculty may have with commercial entities whose products or services may be mentioned in the activity.

Audi Putri, Tyler Vaglivelo, Gillian Kuszewski, and Jeffrey Aeschlimann have no financial relationships with ineligible companies.

CONTENT

Content

Pharmacist Post Test (for viewing only)

PrEP to Put PEP in Your Step: Updates on the Prevention of HIV
26-018 Pharmacist Post-Test

Learning Objectives:
1. RECOGNIZE the role of single agent PEP in improving adherence and its potential drawbacks
2. OUTLINE advancements in PrEP delivery to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes in preventing HIV infection
3. DESCRIBE outcome improvements from newer PrEP and PEP modalities to inform guideline-based clinical decision-making

*

1. Which of the following represents an advantage of single tablet regimens demonstrated in HIV nPEP studies?
a. Reduced rates of HIV infections
b. Increase in nPEP completion rate
c. Improvements in adverse effect profiles

*

2. Which represents a mechanism for lenacapavir that is distinct from other antiretroviral products?
a. Inhibition of capsid core formation
b. Blocking integration into the genome
c. Inhibition of fusion and attachment

*

3. Which PrEP advancement directly addresses challenges associated with daily pill adherence?
a. Oral FTC/TDF
b. Injectable cabotegravir
c. Post-exposure prophylaxis

*

4. Which safety consideration is associated with discontinuation of long-acting injectable PrEP?
a. Immediate loss of immune protection
b. Low drug levels increasing resistance risk
c. Increased risk of renal toxicity after stopping

*

5. Which statement accurately reflects clinical trial findings comparing long-acting injectable PrEP with daily oral PrEP?
a. Injectable PrEP eliminates the need for HIV testing
b. Injectable PrEP demonstrated superior efficacy
c. Injectable PrEP prevents all sexually transmitted infections

*

6. Which of the following 28-day PEP regimens is preferred in the absence of risk factors for HIV resistance?
a. Dolutegravir/lamivudine
b. Bictegravir/FTC/TAF
c. Raltegravir + FTC/TDF

Pharmacy Technician Post Test (for viewing only)

PrEP to Put PEP in Your Step: Updates on the Prevention of HIV
26-018 Pharmacy Technician Post-Test

Learning Objectives:
1. DESCRIBE the barriers to adherence for PrEP/PEP and the role of regular patient interactions for improving outcomes
2. DETAIL correct handling, storage, and preparation procedures for oral and injectable PrEP/PEP therapies within the pharmacy workflow
3. RECOGNIZE commonly used PrEP and PEP products based on their formulation and route of administration

*

1. Which storage requirement applies to oral FTC/TAF used for PrEP?
a. Store at room temperature to preserve potency
b. Refrigerate after opening to maintain stability
c. Freeze until dispensing to prevent degradation

*

2. Which handling step is appropriate when preparing long-acting injectable cabotegravir for administration?
a. Store the vial refrigerated in the original carton
b. Freeze the medication until immediately before use
c. Shake vigorously immediately before injection

*

3. Which option correctly matches a PrEP medication with its formulation and dosing schedule?
a. Cabotegravir: daily oral tablet taken with food
b. Lenacapavir: subcutaneous injection administered every 6 months
c. FTC/TDF: intramuscular injection administered every 2 months

*

4. For a patient being initiated on PEP with bictegravir/FTC/TAF, what recommendation can you provide regarding the use of pill organizers?
a. Seven days of medication may be kept outside of the container at a time
b. Do not put the bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir into a pill organizer
c. Avoid using pill organizers due to the short duration of treatment

*

5. Which HIV nPEP product is available as weekly dosing cards?
a. FTC/TDF
b. Bictegraivr/FTC/TAF
c. Dolutegravir/FTC/TDF

*

6. Why is patient interaction and education important for individuals prescribed nPEP?
a. The low likelihood of completing nPEP courses
b. High rates of nPEP therapy acceptance by patients
c. Pharmacist-administered injectables are used for nPEP

HIV, Baby, and Me: Preventing Perinatal Transmission of HIV-RECORDED WEBINAR

Learning Objectives

Define perinatal transmission of HIV and its risk factors
Review different therapies of ARV during antepartum, intrapartum, and post-partum
Recognize the difference between infant prophylaxis/treatment
Review breastfeeding risks and recommendations in HIV+ patients

Activity Release Dates

Released:  May 30, 2024
Expires:  May 30, 2027

Course Fee

$10 Pharmacist

ACPE UAN Code

 0009-9999-24-024-H02-P

Session Code

24EH24-TXF48

Accreditation Hours

1.0 hours of CE

Accreditation Statement

The University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are eligible to participate in this application-based activity and will receive 1.0 CE Hour  for completing the activity  (ACPE UAN 0009-9999-24-024-H02-P), passing the quiz with a grade of 70% or better, and completing an online evaluation. Statements of credit are available via the CPE Monitor online system and your participation will be recorded with CPE Monitor within 72 hours of submission.

Grant Funding

There is no grant funding for this activity.

Faculty

Elaine Hoang, PharmD
PGY-1 Resident
Emerson Hospital
Concord, MA

Kirthana R. Beaulac, PharmD, BCIDP
Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist
Emerson Hospital
Concord, MA

Faculty Disclosure

  • Drs. Hoang and Beaulac do not have any relationships with ineligible companies.

 

Disclaimer

The material presented here does not necessarily reflect the views of The University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy or its co-sponsor affiliates. These materials may discuss uses and dosages for therapeutic products, processes, procedures and inferred diagnoses that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. A qualified health care professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product discussed. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this continuing education activity.

Content

Post Test Pharmacist

1. A 24-year-old female living with HIV is interested in having children and is concerned about perinatal transmission. Her HIV viral load is currently undetectable by adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Is it possible for HIV mothers to breastfeed their babies, assuming the babies do not contract HIV during childbirth?

A. Yes, as long as the mother’s viral load is undetectable at <50 copies/mL
B. Yes, as long as the mother’s viral load is undetectable at <200 copies/mL
C. No, the baby can still contract HIV even if the mother’s viral load is undetectable at <200 copies/mL

 

2. Maria, a 29-year-old woman living with HIV has been on a stable ART regimen for the past two years. During her recent check-up, she reported experiencing significant nausea and fatigue from her medication. She is currently in her first trimester of pregnancy and is considering stopping her ART due to these side effects. What should be the primary course of action for Maria's healthcare provider to ensure both her health and the health of her unborn child?

A. Encourage Maria to discontinue her ART temporarily while she consults with a nutritionist to address her side effects, assuming that her HIV will remain under control during this period.
B. Assess and manage Maria's current side effects and explore alternative ART options or supportive treatments that can alleviate her symptoms, ensure continued viral suppression, and minimize risks to her pregnancy.
C. Reassure Maria that side effects are temporary and advise her to continue with the current ART regimen without making any changes, regardless of her concerns or symptoms.

 

3. Samantha, a 30-year-old woman, is newly diagnosed with HIV and is currently in her first trimester of pregnancy. She has not started any ART and refused to take any medication. A couple of weeks later, after listening to the pharmacist's consultation, Samantha is now concerned about choosing a regimen that will be both effective and safe for her and her unborn child. Which of the following ART regimens would be the most appropriate initial choice for Samantha based on current guidelines and safety considerations?

A. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) + emtricitabine (FTC) + abacarvir
B. Abacavir + lamivudine
C. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) + lamivudine + dolutegravir

 

4. Emily, a 34-year-old woman living with HIV, is pregnant and is currently adherent to ART. During her recent check-up, her healthcare provider confirmed that her HIV viral load is undetectable. However, she is still worried about the possibility of HIV transmission to her baby during pregnancy phases and wants to understand the implications of her undetectable viral load for her baby’s health. Which of the following statements accurately reflects the risk of HIV transmission to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding?

A. With an undetectable viral load, Emily is at a high risk of transmitting HIV to the baby during her pregnancy phases because it’s hard to know if her condition is under control.
B. There is no risk of HIV transmission to the baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, provided that ART is consistently taken and the viral load remains undetectable.
C. Emily can transmit HIV to her baby during pregnancy, but the risk is low if her viral load remains undetectable throughout her pregnancy.

 

5. A 23-month-old boy living with HIV is starting a new regimen next month. The new regimen is an INSTI-based regimen with the anchor drug being dolutegravir plus FTC/TAF in FDC (Descovy). What verification(s) is/are required before filling this order?

A. Mother’s viral load is <50 copies/mL
B. Patient’s viral load is between 50 to 200 copies/mL
C. Weight + Route of administration

 

6. What is the key difference between opt-in and opt-out HIV screening?

A. Specificity
B. Stages of infection
C. The assumption of Consent-longest…can we just say “consent”?

 

7. A postpartum patient with HIV is in her 6-week follow-up visit. She is adhering well to her ART but expresses concern about her contraceptive options and the feeding of her newborn. Which of the following recommendations is the best course of action for her situation?

A. Recommend that she exclusively uses barrier methods for contraception to avoid any potential interaction with her ART.
B. Inform her that donor human milk is a safe option for her baby, provided it is obtained from a reputable milk bank and properly pasteurized.
C. Suggest that she avoid all forms of hormonal contraception due to potential drug interactions with her ART regimen.