Is Acthar Gel in shortage in 2026? Get the latest update on availability, pricing, and what patients can do to access this hard-to-find specialty medication.
If you depend on Acthar Gel (repository corticotropin injection) for a serious condition like multiple sclerosis, nephrotic syndrome, or an autoimmune disease, you've probably felt the anxiety of wondering whether your next prescription will go through smoothly — or hit a wall.
Acthar Gel has been a challenging medication to access for years. Here's where things stand in 2026 and what you can do to protect your treatment.
As of early 2026, Acthar Gel is not formally listed on the FDA Drug Shortage database. That's the good news. But the reality on the ground is more complicated.
Acthar Gel is produced by a single manufacturer — Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals — and distributed exclusively through specialty pharmacies. This means that even when there's technically enough supply being manufactured, individual patients can still face significant delays and difficulty accessing the medication due to:
In practical terms, many patients experience Acthar Gel as being "in shortage" even when the FDA doesn't classify it that way.
Several factors make Acthar Gel one of the hardest medications to access in the United States:
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals is the sole manufacturer of Acthar Gel. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 and emerged in 2022, which created a period of significant supply uncertainty. While production has stabilized, having only one manufacturer means any disruption — maintenance shutdowns, raw material delays, quality holds — directly impacts every patient who depends on the drug.
There is no generic version of Acthar Gel. The only other ACTH product on the market is Purified Cortrophin Gel (by ANI Pharmaceuticals), which was FDA-approved in 2021. While it treats many of the same conditions, it's a separate brand — not a generic substitute — and it's not approved for infantile spasms. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on alternatives to Acthar Gel.
Acthar Gel isn't available at retail pharmacies. You can only get it through specialty pharmacies, which limits access points and can create delivery delays.
Nearly every insurer requires prior authorization and often step therapy before covering Acthar Gel. This administrative process can add weeks to the time between getting a prescription and receiving your medication.
Acthar Gel remains one of the most expensive medications in the United States:
The wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) is approximately $9,061 per mL. Mallinckrodt increased the list price by 3% in January 2024, with subsequent annual adjustments.
For most patients, paying cash for Acthar Gel is not feasible. Insurance coverage, copay assistance, and patient assistance programs are essential. Learn more about how to save money on Acthar Gel.
Mallinckrodt launched the SelfJect auto-injector, a pre-filled single-dose device for subcutaneous administration. Available in 40-unit and 80-unit doses, the SelfJect makes self-administration easier and may reduce the number of steps involved in injecting Acthar Gel at home. It's available for adult patients (18+) only.
ANI Pharmaceuticals' Cortrophin Gel continues to be available as an alternative ACTH product. At roughly $6,961 per mL (about 23% less than Acthar Gel), it may be a more accessible option for some patients. Talk to your doctor about whether it's appropriate for your condition.
If you need Acthar Gel now, here are your best options:
For a complete walkthrough, read our guide on how to find Acthar Gel in stock near you.
Acthar Gel isn't in a formal FDA shortage in 2026, but access remains genuinely difficult due to single-manufacturer production, specialty pharmacy-only distribution, insurance barriers, and extraordinary cost. The situation has improved somewhat since Mallinckrodt's bankruptcy recovery and the introduction of the SelfJect auto-injector, but patients still face real challenges.
The best thing you can do is plan ahead: start the authorization process early, enroll in patient support programs, and use tools like Medfinder to stay on top of availability. If you're a healthcare provider, check out our provider's guide to Acthar Gel access.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
Try Medfinder Concierge FreeMedfinder's mission is to ensure every patient gets access to the medications they need. We believe this begins with trustworthy information. Our core values guide everything we do, including the standards that shape the accuracy, transparency, and quality of our content. We’re committed to delivering information that’s evidence-based, regularly updated, and easy to understand. For more details on our editorial process, see here.
%2C%20Color%3DOriginal.png)
