Innovations in Narcolepsy Treatment: Emerging Targets and Implications for Managed Care

A satellite symposium held at PBMI 2026.

To attend PBMI in person, register here

Program Description

Narcolepsy type 1 is a rare neurological disorder caused by the loss of orexin-producing neurons. It often presents with excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy that results in severe quality of life impairment. Managed care professionals face major gaps in the management of narcolepsy stemming from polypharmacy. Traditional sodium-based oxybate formulations often require semi-annual metabolic monitoring and the initiation of secondary antihypertensive treatments, significantly driving up direct medical costs, health care utilization, and workplace presenteeism. In recent years, the treatment landscape has shifted away from symptom-based management towards targeted, disease-modifying therapies. This session will equip pharmacists and managed care professionals to optimize patient outcomes and value-based care by reviewing current American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines alongside established therapies such as GABA-B receptor stimulants, H3 receptor antagonists, and selective DNRI therapies. Clinical data for emerging and investigational agents will also be presented. Managed care professionals will gain greater insight into how these data will inform strategic formulary design, with examples highlighting the use of proactive utilization management and precise prior authorization criteria to alleviate the multi-layered economic and clinical burden of narcolepsy type 1.

Target audience: Managed Care Pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: September 10, 2026
Expiration date: November 10, 2026
Time to complete activity: 1 hour
Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain the clinical burden and underlying pathophysiology of narcolepsy type 1, including the role of the hypocretin (orexin) system in regulating wakefulness and REM sleep
• Identify challenges that contribute to delayed or inaccurate diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1
• Compare the efficacy and safety evidence for approved and emerging therapies used in the management of narcolepsy type 1
• Apply managed care strategies to support appropriate patient access to emerging therapies for narcolepsy type 1 while helping to reduce the associated economic burden

Accreditation Information

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.0 contact hour (0.10 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-26-228-L01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through November 10, 2026.

Obtaining Credit

All participants who attended the live virtual broadcast need to log on to their Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ account on www.pharmacytimes.org to complete an online evaluation form and request their credit. Instructions on receiving credit will be provided the day of the event.

Disclosures

Marilyn N. Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, SPP; and Patty Taddei-Allen, PharmD, MBA, BCACP, BCGP, FAMCP, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff: Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Adam C. Welch, PharmD, MBA, FAPhA; Kylie Ferrentino; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated. 

At least one anonymous peer reviewer has been used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer

CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

For questions about this internet CPE activity, please contact:
ceinfo@pharmacytimes.com
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