Accredited Case-Based Chronic Urticaria CME Available for Free on epgonline.org

Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom, February 26, 2016 --(PR.com)-- A new video-based online CME activity has been added to the Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) Knowledge Centre on epgonline.org. This activity is intended for allergists, dermatologists and other healthcare professionals involved in the care and treatment of patients with CSU.

Chronic urticaria is thought to affect up to 1% of the population at any given time, with two-thirds of the cases thought to be spontaneous or idiopathic1. The lifetime prevalence of this condition is thought to be between 0.6 and 1.8%2,3. CSU can have a profound impact on patients’ quality of life with many aspects reduced or impaired. At least 50% of patients will experience at least one recurrence of symptoms after a resolution.5

The activity ‘Case Consults: Changing Paradigms in the Age of Biologics’ has received accreditation by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) and is worth 1 CME credit. Participants must watch three video presentations and two video case studies and complete the accompanying quiz questions. These videos are based on expert-led sessions from a symposium of the same name held at the 24th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2015.

To find out more information such as learning objectives, system requirements, faculty biographies and discretions and to complete the activity, please visit the following link: http://www.epgonline.org/csu-knowledge-centre/cme/. In order to complete this activity, participants must be a (free) registered user of epgonline.org. There is no fee for this activity and a certificate is available to download on completion. In addition to the CME, registered users also have unlimited access to the disease awareness information, diagnostic tools, treatment guidelines, symposium highlights, video channel and resources section within the CSU Knowledge Centre.

Dr Toby Galbraith, Director of Content Strategy for epgonline.org, said: “This faculty-led educational module has been developed with an important set of learning objectives in mind. The intention is to aid healthcare professionals in effectively identifying and treating this condition using real life patient cases.” This activity is supported by funding from Novartis Pharma AG.

Notes to Editors:

· EPG Health Media (Europe) Ltd publishes www.epgonline.org, an independent website dedicated to providing healthcare professionals worldwide with free access to a comprehensive range of disease and medicines information. Categorised by medical specialty, content within epgonline.org includes a multi-language database of approved medications, treatment guidelines, clinical trial reports, journal abstracts, latest medical industry news, apps and a blog written by members.

· Novartis provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines, eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global company with leading positions in these areas. In 2014, the Group achieved net sales of USD 58.0 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to approximately USD 9.9 billion (USD 9.6 billion excluding impairment and amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 120,000 full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than 180 countries around the world.

References:

1. Maurer M et al. Allergy 2011;66:317-330.
2. Gaig P et al. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2004;14:214-220.
3. Zuberbier T et al. Clin Exp Dermatol 2010;35:869-873.
4. Kang MJ et al. Ann Dermatol 2009;21:226-229.
5. Hellgren L. Acta Allergol 1972;27:236-240.