This activity was originally presented at the 2026 PBMI Annual Drug Benefit Conference.
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 semiannual metabolic monitoring and the initiation of secondary antihypertensive treatments, significantly driving up direct medical costs, health care utilization, and workplace presenteeism.
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 the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (oxybate), H3 receptor antagonists, and selective DNRI therapies.
Target audience: Managed care pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: September 30, 2026
Expiration date: September 30, 2027
Learner level: Intermediate, Foundational
Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
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
Marilyn N. Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, SPP
Associate Clinical Professor and Director of Strategic Operations
Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy
Adjunct Associate Professor
University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences
Department of Family, Internal, and Rural Medicine
Adjunct Associate Professor
University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine
Tuscaloosa, AL
Patty Taddei-Allen, PharmD, MBA, BCACP, BCGP, FAMCP
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Gainesville, FL
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 0290-0000-26-311-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through September 30, 2027.
Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit
To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, view 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.
Faculty
The following contributors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:
Marilyn N. Bulloch, PharmD, BCPS, FCCM, SPP
Patty Taddei-Allen, PharmD, MBA, BCACP, BCGP, FAMCP
The staff of Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Any relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.
At least one anonymous peer reviewer was used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewer has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.
AI Disclosure
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may have been used to support the development of this continuing education activity, such as for data organization or slide design. All AI-assisted content was reviewed and verified by qualified staff, faculty, or planners before release to ensure accuracy, balance, and freedom from commercial bias. Where applicable, specific details regarding the AI tool, its purpose, and the review process are disclosed within the activity materials. The accredited provider retains full responsibility for the activity’s content, accuracy, balance, and independence.
Educational Disclaimer
Continuing professional education 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 be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved by the labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.
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