Apomorphine Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

For patients with advanced Parkinson's disease who depend on apomorphine, nothing is more alarming than uncertainty about medication availability. This page offers the most current information on apomorphine's supply status in the US as of 2026, explains what is driving access challenges, and outlines steps patients can take to protect their supply.

Is Apomorphine in an FDA-Declared Shortage in 2026?

As of 2026, the FDA has not issued a formal drug shortage declaration for apomorphine in the United States. The FDA's drug shortage database—updated regularly—currently lists no active shortage status for apomorphine injectable products. This is different from previous years when certain injectable medications faced declared manufacturing shortages.

However, the absence of an FDA shortage declaration does not mean every patient can easily fill their prescription. Apomorphine remains a specialty medication with limited pharmacy distribution, and individual specialty pharmacies may experience inventory gaps that are not captured in national shortage databases.

What Changed with the 2025 Launch of Onapgo?

The FDA approved Onapgo (apomorphine hydrochloride) on February 4, 2025—the first and only wearable subcutaneous infusion device for motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson's disease. Supernus Pharmaceuticals made Onapgo available in the US market in Q2 2025.

This new product created a surge in physician and patient interest in subcutaneous apomorphine delivery. The increased demand, combined with the fact that Onapgo is a brand-new product requiring specialty pharmacy onboarding, created some localized access delays during the second half of 2025. As the distribution network has matured, access to Onapgo has begun to stabilize heading into 2026—but it remains a specialty-only product with a limited pharmacy footprint.

What About the Apokyn Injection (Generic Apomorphine)?

Generic apomorphine injection (10 mg/mL, 3 mL cartridge) became available from TruPharma, providing an alternative to brand-name Apokyn. The introduction of a generic increased supply options and drove down the cash price for some patients. Apokyn itself (from MDD US Operations, a Supernus subsidiary) continues to be manufactured and distributed without a declared shortage.

That said, because both brand and generic apomorphine require specialty pharmacy dispensing, the bottleneck is often at the distribution and dispensing level rather than at manufacturing.

International Supply Developments That May Affect US Patients

In the UK, APO-go prefilled syringes were discontinued from September 2025. While this does not directly affect the US supply chain, it is a reminder that apomorphine product discontinuations can happen and that patients should plan ahead. UK patients using the APO-go infusion cartridge formulation continue to be supported, and the US market uses different product configurations.

Why Some Patients Still Have Trouble Filling Apomorphine in 2026

Even without a declared shortage, patients frequently report difficulty accessing apomorphine. The most common reasons include:

Insurance prior authorization delays: PA approvals for specialty drugs like apomorphine can take 5–10 business days, creating gaps when a refill isn't requested early enough.

Limited specialty pharmacy networks: Not all specialty pharmacies carry apomorphine or have it in stock. In rural areas, the nearest in-network specialty pharmacy may be hundreds of miles away.

High cost barriers: Even with insurance, specialty tier copays can be hundreds of dollars per month. Without insurance, brand Apokyn can retail for over $7,000 for a 15 mL supply. Some patients delay refills because of cost.

Onapgo distribution still expanding: As a product launched in mid-2025, Onapgo is not yet stocked at all specialty pharmacies. Patients new to the device may face longer lead times for their first fill.

What Patients Can Do Right Now

Refill early. Request refills 7–10 days before you run out. Specialty pharmacies often need extra time for processing.

Use medfinder. medfinder.com calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have apomorphine in stock, saving you hours of hold time.

Contact Supernus Support. Call 877-727-6596 for help locating stocked specialty pharmacies and for information about patient assistance programs.

Talk to your neurologist about a backup plan. Have a documented plan for what to do if apomorphine is unavailable, including whether a temporary medication adjustment is appropriate.

Read our full guide on how to find apomorphine in stock near you for step-by-step strategies.

If you're exploring your options, also check our guide to alternatives to apomorphine to have an informed conversation with your doctor.