EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an infection that attacks the body’s immune system. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the disease.
Key Facts by World Health Organization:
- HIV is a major global public health issue claiming the lives of more than 40 million
- 650,000 people died from HIV-related causes and 1.5 million people acquired HIV in 2021
- There is still no cure for HIV infection, but information and access have increased tremendously. Knowledge of effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, including for opportunistic infections, has allowed HIV infection to become a manageable chronic health condition, allowing people to live long and healthy lives. Pharmacists and technicians play a vital role as frontline workers in educating patients on treatment options, maintaining compliance and preventive strategies.
As a part of the biennial renewal, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are required to complete an initial (1) hour Florida Board of Pharmacy approved course on HIV/AIDS. The one-one (1) hour course must include the modes of transmission, including transmission from a healthcare worker to a patient and the patient to the healthcare worker; infection control procedures, including universal precautions; epidemiology of the disease; related infections including tuberculosis (TB); clinical management; prevention; and current Florida law on AIDS and its impact on testing, confidentiality of test results, and treatment of patients. In order to meet this requirement, licensees must demonstrate that the course includes information on the State of Florida law on HIV/AIDS and its impact on testing, reporting, the offering of HIV testing to pregnant women, and partner notification issues pursuant to Sections 381.004 and 384.25, F.S. Any HIV/AIDS continuing education course taken during the second or subsequent renewal of licensure may be applied to satisfy the general continuing education hours requirement.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this activity, pharmacists will be able to: Identify current modes of transmission of HIV and prevention strategies; Describe the epidemiology of HIV and the importance of infection control procedures; Distinguish the various therapeutic agents used to treat HIV AIDS; List complications associated with HIV/AIDS; State Florida law on HIV/AIDS and its impact on testing, reporting, confidentiality, procedures for pregnant women and partner notification; Identify the pharmacist role in providing care for HIV infected patients.
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