Is Afinitor still hard to find in 2026? Get the latest shortage update on Everolimus, including costs, new generic options, and how to find it in stock.
If you've been struggling to find Afinitor (Everolimus) at your pharmacy, you're probably wondering: is there an actual shortage? Or is something else going on?
The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. In this update, we'll break down the current supply situation for Afinitor in 2026, explain why it can be so hard to fill, cover the costs you can expect, and give you actionable steps to get your medication without interrupting your treatment.
As of early 2026, there is no official FDA-listed shortage of Afinitor or generic Everolimus. The FDA's Drug Shortage Database does not list Everolimus as currently in shortage.
However — and this is important — many patients still report difficulty finding Afinitor at their pharmacy. This disconnect happens because Afinitor's supply challenges aren't driven by a traditional manufacturing shortage. They're driven by the drug's specialty status, limited distribution channels, and insurance barriers.
In other words: the drug exists. Getting it into your hands is the hard part.
Several factors make Afinitor more difficult to obtain than a typical prescription:
Afinitor is classified as a specialty medication. Most insurance plans require it to be dispensed through a designated specialty pharmacy — not your local CVS or Walgreens. This means you can't just walk in with a prescription and pick it up. The medication has to be ordered, verified, and shipped through specific channels.
Nearly every insurance plan requires prior authorization before covering Afinitor. This involves your doctor submitting clinical documentation proving the drug is medically necessary. The process can take days to weeks, and initial requests are sometimes denied, requiring appeals. During this time, patients go without medication.
Brand-name Afinitor costs between $18,413 and $19,260 for a 28-day supply. At that price point, pharmacies take on enormous financial risk by keeping it in inventory. Most pharmacies only order it once they have a confirmed, paid prescription in hand.
Even when generic Everolimus tablets are available, specific strengths or the Afinitor Disperz dispersible formulation may be harder to find. Not all generic manufacturers produce every strength, and Disperz has fewer generic alternatives. For detailed information on formulations, see What Is Afinitor? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know.
The cost landscape for Afinitor has shifted significantly with the availability of generics:
The availability of generic Everolimus has been a game-changer for patients paying out of pocket. If you're currently paying full price for brand-name Afinitor, ask your doctor about switching to the generic. For all your savings options, see How to Save Money on Afinitor in 2026.
In January 2025, the FDA granted final approval to Breckenridge Pharmaceutical for generic Everolimus Tablets for Oral Suspension (the Disperz equivalent) in 2 mg, 3 mg, and 5 mg strengths. This means patients who need the dispersible formulation now have a generic option, which should improve both availability and affordability.
Multiple generic manufacturers now produce Everolimus tablets, increasing competition and driving prices down. This is especially helpful for patients who are uninsured or facing high specialty-tier copays.
Novartis continues to offer two key assistance programs:
If you need Afinitor today, here's your action plan:
For more detailed strategies, see our guide: How to Find Afinitor in Stock Near You (Tools + Tips).
While there's no official FDA shortage of Afinitor in 2026, the drug remains difficult to obtain because of its specialty status, high cost, and insurance complexities. The good news is that generic Everolimus is more widely available than ever — including a new generic Disperz equivalent approved in 2025 — and patient assistance programs can reduce costs dramatically.
If you're having trouble finding Afinitor, start with Medfinder and work with your doctor's office to explore all your options. Treatment interruptions for a cancer medication are serious — don't let pharmacy logistics stand in the way of your care.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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