Byooviz Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Updated:

March 28, 2026

Author:

Peter Daggett

Summarize this blog with AI:

Is Byooviz in shortage in 2026? Get the latest on availability, pricing, alternatives, and what you can do to keep your eye treatment on schedule.

Byooviz in 2026: Is There a Shortage?

If you rely on Byooviz (Ranibizumab-nuna) for your vision, you've probably heard other patients — or maybe your own doctor — talk about difficulty getting it. So what's actually going on?

As of early 2026, Byooviz is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. That's the good news. But the reality on the ground is more complicated. Many patients are experiencing real difficulty getting their injections on time, and the reasons go deeper than a simple supply problem.

This article breaks down the current state of Byooviz availability, why it's hard to find, what it costs, and what you can do about it.

Is Byooviz Still Hard to Find?

Yes — for many patients, it is. Even without a formal FDA shortage, several factors are making Byooviz difficult to access:

  • Limited stocking by providers: Because Byooviz is a specialty medication administered in doctors' offices (not a retail pharmacy drug), availability depends entirely on whether your retinal specialist stocks it. Many practices prefer other anti-VEGF agents like Eylea or Avastin.
  • Slow biosimilar adoption: Despite being the first ophthalmology biosimilar in the U.S. and earning interchangeability status in 2023, market uptake for Byooviz has been slower than expected. Newer competitors like Vabysmo and Eylea HD have captured physician attention.
  • Insurance complications: Some Medicare Advantage and commercial plans require prior authorization or step therapy (trying Avastin first) before approving Byooviz, creating delays that mimic a shortage.

For a deeper dive into the reasons, read our article on why Byooviz is so hard to find.

Why Is Byooviz Hard to Find?

The anti-VEGF injection market has undergone significant changes since Byooviz launched in 2022:

Market Dynamics Have Shifted

When Byooviz was approved in 2021, it was positioned as a cheaper alternative to Lucentis. But Lucentis itself has lost market share to Eylea and newer drugs. With Lucentis declining, the market Byooviz was designed to capture has shrunk. Some practices simply don't see enough Lucentis/Ranibizumab patients to justify stocking either product.

The Buy-and-Bill Challenge

Retinal specialists purchase Byooviz upfront and then bill insurance after administering it. If reimbursement rates don't provide adequate margins — or if reimbursement is delayed — practices may prefer to stock medications with more predictable economics.

Distribution Is Specialized

Byooviz requires refrigeration and is shipped through specialty distributors, not the same wholesalers that supply most retail medications. This concentrated supply chain means any disruption can create localized shortages even when overall supply is adequate.

What Does Byooviz Cost in 2026?

Understanding the cost landscape can help you navigate your options:

  • Byooviz list price: approximately $1,130 per vial (per injection)
  • Lucentis list price: approximately $1,850 per vial
  • Avastin (compounded): approximately $50-$75 per dose
  • Eylea: approximately $1,850 per injection

If you're paying out of pocket or have high copays, the cost difference between options can add up quickly — especially since most patients need injections every month.

Biogen offers a Copay Program for commercially insured patients that may reduce your Byooviz costs to as low as $0. Medicare patients may be eligible for other assistance. Learn more in our guide on how to save money on Byooviz.

Are There New Options for Patients?

The anti-VEGF market continues to evolve, giving patients more choices than ever:

  • Cimerli (Ranibizumab-eqrn): Another interchangeable biosimilar to Lucentis, approved for all five Lucentis indications. May be easier to find at some practices.
  • Vabysmo (Faricimab): A bispecific antibody that targets both VEGF-A and Ang-2. May allow longer intervals between injections (up to 16 weeks).
  • Eylea HD (Aflibercept 8 mg): A higher-dose version of Eylea that may extend treatment intervals to 12-16 weeks.
  • Aflibercept biosimilars: Several biosimilars to Eylea are in late-stage development and may launch in the coming years, potentially expanding availability of affordable anti-VEGF options.

For a complete comparison, see our article on alternatives to Byooviz.

How to Find Byooviz in Stock

If you need Byooviz now, here's what to do:

  1. Use Medfinder to search for providers with Byooviz in stock near you
  2. Call your doctor's office 5-7 days before your appointment to confirm availability
  3. Contact Biogen Support Services at 1-877-422-8360 for help locating Byooviz and navigating insurance
  4. Ask your doctor about other retinal specialists who may carry it — larger practices and academic centers often have better access
  5. Consider a temporary switch to Cimerli, Eylea, or Avastin if Byooviz can't be found in time for your next injection

For step-by-step guidance, read our full article on how to find Byooviz in stock near you.

Final Thoughts

While Byooviz is not in a formal FDA shortage, real-world availability challenges mean many patients are struggling to get their injections on time in 2026. The combination of specialty distribution, slow biosimilar adoption, shifting market dynamics, and insurance hurdles all contribute to the problem.

The most important thing you can do is stay proactive. Plan ahead, use tools like Medfinder, and talk to your doctor about backup options. Your vision depends on consistent treatment — don't let an availability gap turn into a treatment gap.

Learn more about Byooviz in our complete guide to Byooviz or explore Byooviz drug interactions.

Is Byooviz on the FDA shortage list in 2026?

No, as of early 2026, Byooviz is not listed on the FDA's official drug shortage database. However, many patients experience difficulty finding it due to limited stocking by providers, the specialty distribution model, and insurance-related delays.

How much does Byooviz cost per injection?

The list price for Byooviz is approximately $1,130 per single-use vial (per injection). This is about 40% less than the reference product Lucentis, which costs approximately $1,850 per vial. Commercially insured patients may qualify for Biogen's Copay Program, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs to as low as $0.

Will the Byooviz shortage get better in 2026?

Availability may improve as more practices adopt biosimilars and as additional anti-VEGF biosimilars (including Eylea biosimilars) enter the market. However, Byooviz availability will continue to depend on individual provider stocking decisions and insurance coverage policies. Using tools like Medfinder to check real-time availability is the best approach.

Can I switch between Byooviz and Lucentis during treatment?

Yes. Byooviz is an FDA-designated interchangeable biosimilar to Lucentis, meaning it's considered clinically equivalent. Switching between the two should produce the same results. Your doctor can freely substitute one for the other based on availability.

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