Is it worth it? A debate about offering lecanemab to our patients with dementia. Thursday, November 2, 2023 |
On Thursday, November 2, 2023, the Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society-Western Division met in person for the first time since 2020 for their annual Fall Program. This year’s program was a debate on offering lecanemab to patients with dementia. The society had a great showing with over 70 internists, family practitioners, geriatricians, pharmacists, nurses, nursing home administrators and social workers in attendance at the Rivers Casino Baquet Center.
Speakers this year included Alison O'Donnell, DO, MPH, Geri-PACT Medical Director, Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Steven M. Handler, MD, PhD, CMD, Associate Chief of Staff, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System, and Eric Rodriguez, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Geriatric Division, University of Pittsburgh. The debate and Q&A sessions were moderated by James D Tew, MD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry.
This year’s Fall Program was designed to educate attendees on currently available therapeutic options for major neurocognitive disorder, highlighting new monoclonal antibody therapies. The risks and benefits of the use of these novel agents were highlighted through a pro-con debate style interactive learning session. Attendees walked away with the knowledge to be able to recognize currently available therapeutic options, compare risks and benefits of monoclonal antibody therapy in major neurocognitive disorder, and identify dosing and monitoring strategies for safe use of monoclonal antibody therapy in major neurocognitive disorder. At the end of the debate, attendees voted on whether they would prescribe the case patient with lecanemab. 77% voted that they would not prescribe this drug, while 23% would prescribe lecanemab. Whether you would prescribe lecanemab or not, here are some key takeaways from the debate – |
Lecanemab Medication Highlights
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Safety Takeaways
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The attendees also had the opportunity for a 30-minute Q&A session with the speakers that was robust and educational. A huge thank you to our planning committee members, Lauren Cotherman, DNP, Heather Sakely, PharmD, James Tew, MD, Lyn Weinberg, MD, and Rollin Wright, MD, as well as our PAGS-WD members and guests for making this event a huge success. Thank you to our Fall Program sponsors Astellas Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Vaccines, and Xeris Pharmaceuticals. |
2023 Fall Program Presenters |
Overview presented by: Alison O'Donnell, DO, MPH Geri-PACT Medical Director Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System | Moderator:
James D Tew, MD Associate Professor of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh, Department of Psychiatry | PRO Debater: Steven M. Handler, MD, PhD, CMD Associate Chief of Staff, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Veterans Administration Pittsburgh Healthcare System | CON Debater: Eric Rodriguez, MD, MPH Associate Professor of Medicine Geriatric Division University of Pittsburgh |
About usThe Pennsylvania Geriatrics Society – Western Division is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all older persons. It is a non-profit organization of physicians and other health care professionals committed to the provision of quality health care for older persons. | Contact usPennsylvania Geriatric Society - Western Division Chapter Administrator: Eileen Taylor | etaylor@acms.org |