Knowledge of PCSK9 and Continued Educational Gaps: Evaluating the Impact of CME

Association Between Industry Marketing Payments and Prescriptions for PCSK9 (Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9) Inhibitors in the United States

“…8 Uptake of PCSK9is in the first 2 years after market entry was low, predominantly due to high costs [9][10][11] and strict prior authorization requirements that were put in place by public and private payors. 12,13 Limited provider familiarity with these new drugs may also have been a barrier to uptake 14 since PCSK9is are injectable monoclonal antibodies that patients must self-administer once or twice a month using auto-injector devices. Prescribers typically learn about new therapeutic agents from the peer-reviewed literature and clinical guidelines but targeted industry marketing-often delivered in the form of promotional meals accompanying continuing education conferences or detailing visits to physician practices-may accelerate uptake by disseminating information about the drug and, in some cases, helping physicians navigate complex preauthorization processes put in place by payors.…”