A provider's guide to helping patients find Qulipta in stock. Covers availability barriers, actionable steps, alternative CGRP options, and workflow tips.
You've prescribed Qulipta (Atogepant) for your patient's migraine prevention — and then the phone calls start. "My pharmacy doesn't have it." "They said it's on backorder." "I've been waiting two weeks."
These conversations are familiar to providers who prescribe CGRP-based therapies. While Qulipta is not in a formal FDA-listed shortage, real-world pharmacy availability gaps create a frustrating experience for patients and unnecessary workload for your practice.
This guide provides actionable steps you and your staff can take to minimize these disruptions and keep patients on their prescribed therapy.
Qulipta is manufactured by AbbVie and available in 10 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg oral tablets. The current WAC is $1,204.57 per 30-day supply (January 2026). Key facts about the availability landscape:
Understanding the barriers helps you address them proactively:
Chain pharmacies typically stock medications based on dispensing volume. A pharmacy that fills one or two Qulipta prescriptions per month may not keep it in regular inventory. Each bottle represents over $1,200 in inventory cost, which pharmacies may not want to hold without guaranteed demand.
PA processing typically takes 5-14 business days. Pharmacies generally won't order a specialty drug until PA is confirmed, creating a gap between when you prescribe and when the patient can fill. This is the most common source of patient frustration.
Some plans place Qulipta on a non-preferred specialty tier or require step therapy through generics (Topiramate, Propranolol) and sometimes through an injectable CGRP before approving an oral gepant.
Even with insurance, specialty tier copays can be $50-$200+ per month. Without insurance, the cash price exceeds $1,200. Patients may abandon their prescription at the pharmacy counter if the cost is higher than expected.
Patients in rural areas or regions with limited pharmacy options face compounded challenges. Fewer pharmacies means fewer potential sources, and specialty pharmacies may not have physical locations nearby.
Don't wait for the pharmacy to trigger the PA. Submit authorization paperwork on the same day you write the prescription. Include:
Pre-emptive PA reduces the gap between prescribing and filling by 1-2 weeks.
Use Medfinder for Providers to check real-time pharmacy availability before sending the prescription. This allows you to route the prescription to a pharmacy that actually has Qulipta in stock, avoiding patient callbacks.
Alternatively, have your staff call the patient's preferred pharmacy to confirm stock or request they order it in advance of the PA approval.
Specialty pharmacies and insurance-affiliated mail-order pharmacies are far more reliable sources for Qulipta. Many insurers actually require specialty pharmacy dispensing for CGRP medications. Benefits include:
Check the patient's insurance plan for preferred specialty pharmacy networks.
Before the patient leaves your office, initiate enrollment in cost-reduction programs:
Having the savings card activated before the patient reaches the pharmacy prevents sticker shock and prescription abandonment.
Give patients tools to help themselves if availability issues arise:
A printed handout or after-visit summary with these resources can reduce inbound calls to your practice.
If a patient cannot access Qulipta due to insurance, availability, or tolerance, consider these alternatives:
When switching between CGRP agents, no washout period is typically needed. Consider the patient's preference for oral vs. injectable, dosing frequency, and insurance formulary when selecting an alternative.
For a patient-facing comparison: Alternatives to Qulipta.
Implementing these workflow adjustments can reduce Qulipta-related disruptions:
Qulipta access issues are solvable with proactive provider engagement. By submitting PA early, verifying pharmacy stock, routing to specialty pharmacies, and connecting patients with savings programs, you can significantly reduce the friction your patients experience.
The tools exist — Medfinder for Providers, AbbVie's support programs, and specialty pharmacy networks — to keep your migraine patients on effective therapy without unnecessary interruptions.
Related provider resources:
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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