Your Patient Has a Prescription for Quviviq — Now Help Them Fill It

You've evaluated your patient, determined that Quviviq (Daridorexant) is the right choice for their insomnia, and sent the prescription to their pharmacy. Then your patient calls back: the pharmacy doesn't have it.

This scenario plays out frequently with Quviviq and other newer brand-name medications. As a prescriber, you can play a proactive role in ensuring your patients actually get the medication you've prescribed. This guide outlines practical steps your practice can take.

Current Availability: What's Happening with Quviviq

Quviviq is not in an FDA-recognized drug shortage as of 2026. Idorsia Pharmaceuticals continues to manufacture and distribute the medication. The access challenges patients face are primarily due to:

• Low pharmacy stocking rates: Many retail pharmacies don't carry Quviviq because of limited local demand
• Brand-name-only status: No generic Daridorexant exists (patents through 2034)
• High cash price: $550–$680 per 30-day supply discourages cash-pay patients and reduces pharmacy stocking incentive
• Insurance friction: Prior authorization and step therapy requirements create fill delays

For a detailed overview of the supply landscape, see our provider briefing: Quviviq Shortage: What Providers Need to Know in 2026.

Why Patients Can't Find Quviviq

Understanding the patient's experience helps frame the solution. When a patient brings a new Quviviq prescription to a chain pharmacy, several things can go wrong:

1. Not in stock: The pharmacy simply doesn't carry it. They may offer to order it, which takes 1–3 days.
2. Prior authorization required: The pharmacy runs the claim, insurance rejects it pending PA, and the patient is told to wait.
3. Sticker shock: If insurance doesn't cover it or the PA hasn't gone through, the patient sees a $600+ price and walks away.
4. Transfer confusion: The patient may not know they can have the prescription sent to a different pharmacy.

Each of these barriers is addressable with proactive planning from the prescriber's side.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Practical Steps

Step 1: Check Pharmacy Availability Before Prescribing

Before sending the e-prescription, use Medfinder for Providers to check which pharmacies near your patient's location currently have Quviviq in stock. This takes less than a minute and can save days of patient frustration.

Direct the prescription to a pharmacy that actually has the medication on hand, rather than defaulting to the patient's usual pharmacy.

Step 2: Initiate Prior Authorization Early

If your patient's insurance requires PA for Quviviq (and most do), start the process at the time of prescribing — don't wait for the pharmacy rejection to trigger it. Key documentation to include:

• Confirmed insomnia diagnosis with sleep onset and/or maintenance difficulties
• Prior treatments tried and failed (e.g., sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, prior medications)
• Clinical rationale for selecting Quviviq over other DORAs or generic alternatives
• Any contraindications to alternative agents

Having this documentation ready significantly speeds up the PA process.

Step 3: Provide the Manufacturer Copay Card

The QUVIVIQ360 copay savings card allows eligible commercially insured patients to pay as little as $25 per 30-day supply. Key points:

• Managed by ConnectiveRx/vitaCare on behalf of Idorsia
• Valid for commercially insured patients only (not Medicare, Medicaid, or other government insurance)
• Patient brings the card to the pharmacy along with their prescription
• Cards can be downloaded from the Quviviq website or provided through your office

Having printed copay cards available in your office eliminates a barrier. Patients are far more likely to follow through when the cost concern is addressed upfront.

Step 4: Educate Patients on Finding the Medication

Equip patients with practical guidance before they leave your office:

• Share Medfinder as a resource to check pharmacy stock
• Recommend trying independent pharmacies if chains don't carry it
• Mention mail-order pharmacy as an option through their insurance plan
• Set expectations about potential PA wait times

Consider providing a printed handout with these tips. Patient-facing resources are available at: How to Find Quviviq in Stock Near You.

Step 5: Have a Backup Plan Ready

If access proves impossible within a reasonable timeframe, be prepared to pivot to an alternative. Discuss this with the patient upfront so they know the plan:

• Within the DORA class: Belsomra (Suvorexant) 10–20 mg or Dayvigo (Lemborexant) 5–10 mg
• Different class, more accessible: Generic Zolpidem (5–10 mg) or generic Eszopiclone (1–3 mg)

Document the contingency in the visit note so any follow-up contact has context.

Alternative Agents at a Glance

When Quviviq isn't accessible, these are the primary alternatives:

• Belsomra (Suvorexant): DORA, 10–20 mg nightly, half-life ~12 hours. Similar mechanism, may have more next-day somnolence.
• Dayvigo (Lemborexant): DORA, 5–10 mg nightly, half-life ~17–19 hours. More OX2-selective. Longest-acting DORA.
• Zolpidem (generic Ambien): Z-drug, GABA modulator, 5–10 mg nightly. Widely available, very affordable ($5–$25/month). Different mechanism and risk profile.
• Eszopiclone (generic Lunesta): Z-drug, 1–3 mg nightly. Good for sleep maintenance. Affordable ($10–$40/month).

For a comprehensive comparison: Alternatives to Quviviq.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

Integrating these steps into your workflow doesn't have to be burdensome. Here are some efficiency tips:

Create a Quviviq Prescribing Checklist

A simple checklist for your MA or nursing staff can standardize the process:

1. Check Medfinder for pharmacy availability
2. Confirm insurance coverage / initiate PA if needed
3. Provide copay card to patient
4. Send prescription to a stocking pharmacy
5. Schedule follow-up to confirm fill

Batch Prior Authorizations

If your practice prescribes Quviviq regularly, consider batching PA submissions. Designate a staff member or use your EHR's PA integration (if available) to handle these systematically rather than ad hoc.

Track Fill Rates

If you're seeing a pattern of patients unable to fill Quviviq, document it. This data can inform decisions about alternative first-line agents and support advocacy for better formulary coverage.

Build Relationships with Local Pharmacies

Identify 2–3 pharmacies in your area that reliably stock or order Quviviq. Establishing a direct relationship with pharmacists at these locations can smooth the process for your patients.

Final Thoughts

Prescribing Quviviq is only half the battle — ensuring patients can actually fill the prescription is equally important. By using tools like Medfinder, proactively managing prior authorizations, providing copay cards, and educating patients, your practice can significantly improve fill rates and patient satisfaction.

For savings-focused guidance you can share with patients, see: How to Save Money on Quviviq. For provider-focused cost assistance tools, see: How to Help Patients Save Money on Quviviq: A Provider's Guide.