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Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDS)

Value in prescribing biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) program

Targeted Therapies Alliance

PSA has joined NPS MedicineWise and seven other organisations representing pharmacists, specialists, consumers and research experts to form the Targeted Therapies Alliance. The Alliance provides stewardship and direction about the safe and wise use of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and other specialised medicines.

Inflammatory Arthritis Resources

The Alliance has developed information and resources for health professionals and consumers, including practical tools for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Resources for pharmacists

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and inflammatory arthritis

This PSA article examines the role of MTX and b/tsDMARDS in the management of RA, PsA and AS, and highlights the role of pharmacists in supporting these patients to improve their quality of life and activities of daily living. Note: Non-members will need to create a free account to access this article.

Webinar recording: Rheumatoid arthritis – bDMARDs

This webinar recording addresses methotrexate myths and improving biosimilar understanding.

Optimising the use of b/tsDMARDs in RA – the key role of pharmacists

This interactive online module will allow pharmacists to follow a patient throughout their rheumatoid arthritis journey, from the point of diagnosis to the initiation of bDMARD therapy. At several points along the journey, pharmacists will need to make clinical decisions to help optimise their medication management.

Webinar recording: Corticosteroids – Indication guides optimal use

This webinar recording provides practical tips on enhancing corticosteroids patients’ management.

An Australian living guideline for the pharmacological management of inflammatory arthritis

This living guideline presents the best available, current scientific evidence for pharmacological management of the most common forms of inflammatory arthritis (namely RA, PsA and axial SpA), including choice of DMARD, switching, combination therapy and down-titration of treatment.

Biologic (b/tsDMARDs) dispensing and counselling checklist

This checklist has been designed to support pharmacists in the dispensing and counselling of biologics (b/tsDMARD) for the various conditions covered in the ViP bDMARDs Program.

Practice Audit ToolMTX and bDMARDs: Optimising use in rheumatoid arthritis

This activity facilitates practice improvement for pharmacists providing counselling to RA patients.

Patient resources

Video: Living with rheumatoid arthritis: Suzanne's story

In this video, consumer Suzanne talks about her treatment journey and the impact methotrexate has had on her rheumatoid arthritis.

Methotrexate action plan (PDF)

This action plan can help patients discuss methotrexate with their rheumatologist and plan the best way to take their medicine.

Inflammatory bowel disease resources

The Alliance has developed information and resources for health professionals and consumers, including practical tools for people living with inflammatory bowel disease.

Resources for pharmacists

Webinar recording – Optimising inflammatory bowel disease management

This webinar addresses optimising inflammatory bowel disease management.

Biologic (b/tsDMARDs) dispensing and counselling checklist

This checklist has been designed to support pharmacists in the dispensing and counselling of biologics (b/tsDMARD) for the various conditions covered in the ViP bDMARDs Program.

Webinar recording: Corticosteroids – Indication guides optimal use

This webinar recording provides practical tips on enhancing corticosteroids patients’ management.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease – A Focus on Ulcerative Colitis

This interactive online module will allow pharmacists to follow a patient throughout their ulcerative colitis journey, from the point of an episode of acute flare, to the initiation biologic therapy. At several points along the journey, pharmacists will need to make clinical decisions to help optimise the patient’s medication management.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

This article provides allows pharmacists to update their clinical knowledge in the optimal management of two of the most common forms of IBD, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, including discussions on clinical symptoms, pharmacotherapy (i.e. 5-aminosalicylates, thiopurines, methotrexate) and the role of pharmacists as part of the multidisciplinary team.

Plaque Psoriasis resources

The Alliance has developed information and resources for health professionals and consumers, including practical tools for people living with plaque psoriasis.

Resources for pharmacists

Webinar recording: Corticosteroids – Indication guides optimal use

This webinar recording provides practical tips on enhancing corticosteroids patients’ management.

Optimising the management of plaque psoriasis – the key role of pharmacists

This interactive online module will allow pharmacists to follow a patient throughout their plaque psoriasis journey, from the point of diagnosis to the initiation of methotrexate followed by an immunosuppressant. At several points along the journey, pharmacists will need to make clinical decisions to help optimise the patient’s medication management.

Biologic (b/tsDMARDs) dispensing and counselling checklist

This checklist has been designed to support pharmacists in the dispensing and counselling of biologics (b/tsDMARD) for the various conditions covered in the ViP bDMARDs Program.

Other useful external resources

Supporting safe practices for low-dose methotrexate: Position statement on the use of low-dose methotrexate (PDF)

This position statement from the Council of Australian Therapeutic Advisory Groups (CATAG) aims to provide clear information on safety for those dispensing and administering low-dose methotrexate and assists them with providing reassurance to people undergoing treatment with low-dose methotrexate.

CATAG’s Biologics and biosimilars best practice

Guiding principles for the governance of biologics and their biosimilars in Australian hospitals

For more information, visit the ViP bDMARDs program hub on the NPS MedicineWise website HERE.

BDMARDS Logos

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were our first pharmacists.

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