Updates in Multiple Sclerosis: Optimizing Clinical Management of Multiple Sclerosis

Activity Description
An enduring newsletter available online for 1 hour of CME/CE credit targeted for neurologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses who care for patients with MS.

Statement of Educational Need
Over the past decade, there have been numerous revisions to multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnostic criteria and development of multiple new and emerging therapies. While the explosion of new possibilities is exciting, it makes staying current with best practices a challenge. It is critical that neurology clinicians keep up-to-date and are able to determine which potential therapies are appropriate for their individual MS patients. In this enduring activity, participants will review the latest technology and late-breaking information from the 2011 European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis meeting.

Target Audience This activity is designed for neurologists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses who care for patients with MS.

Learning Objectives

• Cite key clinical trial data from recent professional society meetings, and assess their impact on current and future practices in MS care
• Improve MS patient outcomes through use of individualized treatment strategies that take into consideration mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of new and emerging agents

Requirements for Successful Completion

1. Review the materials on accreditation information, target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
2. Complete the entire enduring activity.
3. Go to http://totalmeded.com/1104newsletter/index.html and complete the CME/CE posttest and evaluation form and receive your online certificate.

Conflict of Interest Policy / Disclosure Statement
In accordance with the ACCME, ANCC, CMSC, and NPA require that any person who is in a position to control the content of a CME/CE activity must disclose all relevant financial relationships they have with a commercial interest.

Edwards Fox, MD, PhD, FAAN, reported that he is a consultant to, speaker for, and receives research support from Biogen Idec; EMD Serono, Inc.; and Teva Neuroscience, Inc. He also reported that he is a consultant to Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Genzyme Corporation; and Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.; speaker for Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Novartis AG; and Pfizer Inc.; member of the advisory board for Genzyme and Opexa Therapeutics, Inc.; and receives research support from Eli Lilly and Company; Genzyme Corporation; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd; and sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.

Colleen Harris, MN, NP, MSCN, reported that she is a consultant to EMD Serono, Inc.; Teva Neuroscience, Inc.; sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC; Genzyme; Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Novartis AG; and Biogen Idec.

June Halper, APN-C, MSCN, FAAN, Executive Director, CMSC/IOMSN, reported that she is a consultant to and speaker for Acorda. She also reported that she is a consultant to Teva Pharmaceuticals and Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Laurie Scudder DNP, NP-C, nurse planner, NPA, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Cristina Germond, PhD, medical writer, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Lisa Cockrell, PhD, medical writer, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Melissa Wiles, Vice President, Educational Design and Strategic Alliances at MEDEDR, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Karin McAdams, Vice President, Curriculum Development at MEDEDR, has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

To resolve identified conflicts of interest, the educational content was fully peer-reviewed by a physician who has nothing to disclose. The resulting certified activity was found to provide educational content that is current, evidence-based, and commercially balanced.

Accreditation Statement

Physicians:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of CMSC, NPA, and MEDEDR.

CMSC is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CMSC designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants:
The American Academy of Physician Assistants accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Nurses:
This activity is coprovided by NPA, CMSC, and MEDEDR.

NPA is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission (ANCC) on Accreditation.

It has been awarded 1.0 contact hour for nurses and advanced practice nurses.

Accreditation does not imply endorsement by NPA or ANCC.

Statement of Commercial Support
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Genzyme, a Sanofi company.

Disclaimer Statement
The content and views presented in this educational activity are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of CMSC, NPA, MEDEDR, or Genzyme, a Sanofi company. This material is prepared based upon a review of multiple sources of information, but is not exhaustive of the subject matter. Therefore, health care professionals and other individuals should review and consider other publications and materials on the subject matter before relying solely upon the information contained within this educational activity.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration. The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings. Further, attendees/participants should appraise the information presented critically and are encouraged to consult appropriate resources for any product or device mentioned in this program.

Contact Information for Questions about the Activity
For questions on CME/CE credit, please contact 866-901-6267 or email to questions@npedu.com.

Jointly sponsored by the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers, Nurse Practitioner Alternatives, and MedEdRules, LLC.