Updates in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Pharmacotherapy and Barriers to Optimal Care (ACPE)

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is presently and has been a persistent major public health burden for several decades. Based on the National Comorbidity Survey data using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, the estimated risk of MDD over any given 12-month period is 7.6%, with an estimated lifetime risk of 16.2%. Another estimate, from a recent wave of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey subdividing by gender indicates that 17.5% of men and 25.5% of women across all age groups overall report having experienced depressive symptoms in the past. Unfortunately, 58.8% of adults with symptoms classified as moderate and 36.9% of adults with symptoms classified as severe neither saw mental health professional nor received pharmacological treatment, suggesting a gap between present and optimal treatment of MDD.

By the end of the session the participant will be able to:

1. Describe the pathophysiology of MDD and the role the neurotransmitters plays in it such that it informs pairing with present treatment mechanisms
2. Describe the benefits and risks of different pharmacotherapeutic treatments for MDD and take them into account when formulating a treatment plan for different patients
3. List present and emerging treatment options for MDD and apply them to patient cases using evidence-based medicine
4. Describe challenges to the successful management of MDD relating to treatment adherence and develop corresponding solutions
5. Identify barriers to care in patients with MDD and develop strategies to abate them

Credit Designation:

ScientiaCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. This program is approved for 1.00 hours of continuing education. Proof of participation will be posted to your NABP CPE profile within 4 to 6 weeks to participants who have successfully completed the post-test. Participants must participate in the entire presentation and complete the course evaluation to receive continuing pharmacy education credit.