Mark Makhinson, PharmD

Panelists discuss how atopic dermatitis (AD) presents differently across skin tones, appearing as purple, gray, or barely visible inflammation rather than classic redness, with perifollicular prominence and postinflammatory pigmentation changes being more prominent in patients with darker skin.

Panelists discuss how atopic dermatitis (AD) extends far beyond pruritus to include pain, sleep disturbances, psychosocial stigma, and quality-of-life impacts that affect patients’ work, school, and daily functioning regardless of disease severity.

Panelists discuss the challenges of biologic access in hidradenitis suppurativa due to utilization management policies like step therapy, emphasizing the need for patient education, strategic planning, and leveraging resources—including clinical trials—to improve timely treatment and outcomes.

Panelists discuss the anticipated 2026 updates to the American Academy of Dermatology guidelines for hidradenitis suppurativa, highlighting efforts to unify treatment protocols, support biologic access, and accommodate emerging therapies within a rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape.

Panelists discuss how health care professionals face educational gaps in understanding atopic dermatitis (AD) immunopathogenesis, with advanced practice providers (APPS) particularly needing additional training outside standard curricula to master biologic therapy selection.

Panelists discuss how atopic dermatitis involves complex inflammatory and neuronal pathways, with IL-4, IL-13, and IL-31 cytokines driving Th2-mediated inflammation that varies across different racial populations.

Panelists discuss the critical importance of early biologic therapy initiation in hidradenitis suppurativa to prevent irreversible tissue damage, reduce disease burden, and overcome socioeconomic and systemic barriers that delay timely treatment and worsen patient outcomes.

Panelists discuss the challenges and evolving landscape of step therapy protocols in hidradenitis suppurativa treatment, emphasizing the impact on patient adherence, the potential benefits of earlier biologic use, and the need for advocacy to improve access and outcomes.

Panelists discuss key factors influencing biologic selection for hidradenitis suppurativa, including efficacy, safety, comorbidities, and insurance challenges, highlighting the importance of a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to optimize treatment and navigate practical barriers.

Panelists discuss the timely initiation of biologic therapy in moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa, emphasizing individualized treatment decisions based on disease impact and quality of life, alongside the potential for improved outcomes and cost-effectiveness through early, aggressive management.

Panelists discuss the importance of coordinated, personalized treatment strategies for hidradenitis suppurativa, highlighting early use of pharmacologic therapies—including biologics—and ongoing assessment to balance clinical effectiveness, patient quality of life, and financial considerations.

Panelists discuss optimizing hidradenitis suppurativa management through early intervention, personalized treatment based on disease severity, and multidisciplinary coordination led by dermatologists to improve patient outcomes and reduce disease burden.

Panelists discuss the significant disparities in hidradenitis suppurativa diagnosis and care, emphasizing the impact of race, gender, geography, and socioeconomic status, and highlighting the need for culturally competent education, expanded access, and community engagement to promote earlier intervention and equitable outcomes.

Panelists discuss the vital role of multidisciplinary collaboration, provider education, and technology integration in improving early diagnosis and comprehensive management of hidradenitis suppurativa, highlighting how coordinated efforts across specialties—including pharmacists—can reduce delays, enhance equity, and optimize patient outcomes.

Panelists discuss the drivers and consequences of delayed diagnosis in hidradenitis suppurativa, emphasizing the need for provider education, clinical decision support, and multidisciplinary collaboration to promote earlier recognition and more effective, coordinated care.

Panelists discuss the challenges of timely diagnosis and comprehensive management of hidradenitis suppurativa, emphasizing the need for early recognition, multidisciplinary care, and empathy-centered approaches to address the physical, emotional, and social burden of the disease.