Access and Formulary Design Considerations for Nonsteroidal Topical Therapies in Dermatology

Program Description

Managing chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, plaque psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis requires health care professionals to balance controlling flare-ups with minimizing the quality of life disruptions they cause patients. The complex, overlapping presentation of these conditions and the distinct safety profiles for pediatric and adult patients present challenges in treatment and management. Treatment may also be affected by attitudes toward steroids from patients and caregivers, leading to poor adherence, disease progression, and recurring symptoms that complicate long-term management. This program offers managed care professionals and pharmacists a deep dive into these overlapping dermatologic conditions across adult and pediatric patients. The discussion will examine how delayed or inadequate treatment can impact health care resource utilization and the potential for unnecessary escalation of therapy. The current therapeutic guidelines will be reviewed, as will the traditional role of topical corticosteroids and the emerging clinical data surrounding nonsteroidal topical alternatives. The session specifically addresses the practical hurdles for managed care professionals within formulary management, illustrating the effects of potentially restrictive step therapy and prior authorization protocols for patients with dermatitis.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: October 12, 2026
Expiration date: December 12, 2026
Time to complete activity: 1 hour
Learner level: Foundational
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Explain how undertreatment or delayed treatment in dermatitis subtypes can contribute to persistent symptoms, reduced adherence, impaired quality of life, and unnecessary escalation of therapy
• Determine the role of branded nonsteroidal topical agents as evidence-based options before escalation to biologic therapy
• Identify managed care barriers to appropriate access for branded nonsteroidal topical agents

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 (0.1 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-26-286-L01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through December 12, 2026.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

Aderonke Adeboye, PharmD, BCPS, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Zachary Contreras, PharmD, has the following relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company to disclose: Consultant: Ferrington Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff: Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Jason Christidhis, PharmD; Emily Tyler; and Brianna Winters 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.

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