Besivance Availability Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've been unable to fill your Besivance (besifloxacin) prescription, you may be wondering: is there a shortage? The short answer for 2026 is that Besivance is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list — but that doesn't mean it's always easy to find at your local pharmacy. Here's what patients need to understand about Besivance availability right now.

Is Besivance in an Official FDA Shortage in 2026?

No. As of 2026, Besivance (besifloxacin 0.6% ophthalmic suspension) is not listed on the FDA's Drug Shortage Database. Bausch + Lomb, the manufacturer, has not issued any public statements about manufacturing disruptions or supply constraints for this product.

However, many patients still experience delays filling this prescription. The availability problem is a distribution and stocking issue — not a national supply chain crisis. Understanding the difference is important so you can take the right steps to get your medication.

Why Do Some Pharmacies Run Out of Besivance?

The root causes of localized Besivance unavailability are well understood:

Brand-only status. There is no FDA-approved generic for Besivance. Patents are estimated to extend through November 2030. Without generic competition, pharmacies stock it conservatively.

High retail price. At $230–$350 per 5 mL bottle, pharmacies are cautious about maintaining large inventories of a product that may not move quickly.

Seasonal demand spikes. Bacterial conjunctivitis spreads through schools and households. When a local outbreak occurs, a pharmacy's limited stock can sell out within days.

Specialty distribution. Some ophthalmic specialty medications are not part of standard distribution contracts for all pharmacy types, leading to gaps in availability at certain chain pharmacies.

What Is the Outlook for Besivance Availability?

Until a generic version of besifloxacin enters the market (not expected before 2030 at the earliest), patients will continue to experience variability in Besivance availability at individual pharmacies. This is unlikely to change dramatically in the near term.

The good news: effective alternatives are widely available. If you truly cannot locate Besivance, options like generic moxifloxacin ophthalmic (available for $15–$40 at most pharmacies) offer comparable antibacterial coverage for most bacterial conjunctivitis cases.

What Should Patients Do Right Now?

If you have a current prescription for Besivance and your pharmacy doesn't have it, here are your best immediate steps:

Use medfinder to locate it. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones have Besivance in stock and texts you the results.

Call chain pharmacy networks. Ask any CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid to check inventory at nearby branches and transfer stock to your location.

Contact your prescriber. Ask if they can call in an alternative like generic moxifloxacin if Besivance cannot be located quickly. For most uncomplicated bacterial conjunctivitis, this is equally effective.

Try specialty pharmacies. Independent pharmacies near eye care offices or ophthalmology practices are your best bet for same-day availability.

How to Stay Informed About Besivance Availability

To stay updated on any changes to Besivance's availability or if a shortage is officially declared, monitor these resources:

FDA Drug Shortages Database: fda.gov/drugs/drug-shortages

Bausch + Lomb official website: bausch.com

Your pharmacist — they often hear about supply changes before patients do

The Bottom Line

Besivance is not in an FDA-declared shortage in 2026, but local pharmacy availability can be patchy due to its brand-only status and pricing. Patients who act strategically — using medfinder, calling chain pharmacies, or speaking to their doctor about alternatives — can usually get treatment quickly. For more on alternative medications, see our guide to Besivance alternatives.