Your Treatment Shouldn't Wait — Here's How to Find Bevacizumab

When you're undergoing cancer treatment, every infusion matters. So when your oncologist's office tells you Bevacizumab is temporarily unavailable, it can feel like the ground is shifting beneath you. But there are practical steps you can take right now to find it.

Bevacizumab (brand name Avastin) is a widely used anti-VEGF cancer medication given by IV infusion. It's used to treat colorectal cancer, lung cancer, brain tumors, kidney cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and liver cancer. Because it's a biologic drug administered in healthcare settings — not a pill from a retail pharmacy — finding it requires a different approach than tracking down a typical prescription.

Here are three proven strategies to locate Bevacizumab when supply is tight.

Tip 1: Use Medfinder to Check Real-Time Availability

Medfinder is a free tool that helps patients and providers check which facilities have medications in stock — including specialty infusion drugs like Bevacizumab. Instead of calling around to every hospital and cancer center in your area, you can search in one place.

Here's how to use it:

1. Go to medfinder.com
2. Search for "Bevacizumab" or "Avastin"
3. Enter your location to see nearby facilities with current availability
4. Share the results with your oncologist's office so they can coordinate your infusion

This is especially helpful if your current infusion center is having trouble with one specific biosimilar — Medfinder can show you facilities that stock a different version.

Tip 2: Ask About Independent Infusion Centers and Hospital Outpatient Pharmacies

Many patients receive their Bevacizumab infusions at their oncologist's office, which typically orders through a single distributor. But independent infusion centers and hospital outpatient pharmacies often have different supply contracts and may have access to Bevacizumab when your regular provider doesn't.

Here's what to know:

• Hospital cancer centers often maintain larger inventories and have relationships with multiple distributors. Academic medical centers are especially well-positioned to source specialty drugs during shortages.
• Independent infusion centers may work with different group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and could have a biosimilar in stock that your oncologist's office doesn't carry.
• Specialty pharmacies that handle oncology drugs can sometimes source Bevacizumab from alternative channels.

Ask your oncologist if they can write an order that can be filled at a different facility. In most cases, this is straightforward — your doctor provides the prescription and treatment plan, and the other facility administers the infusion.

Tip 3: Be Flexible on Timing and Biosimilar Brand

There are now six FDA-approved biosimilars of Bevacizumab: Mvasi (Amgen), Zirabev (Pfizer), Alymsys (Amneal), Vegzelma (Celltrion), Avzivi (Samsung Bioepis), and Jobevne (Sandoz). All have been shown to be as safe and effective as brand-name Avastin.

If your facility is out of one specific biosimilar, ask if they can substitute another. Many hospitals and infusion centers carry more than one version, and your oncologist can authorize a switch quickly.

Additionally, timing your infusion for off-peak hours (mid-week rather than Mondays, or early morning) may improve your chances, as infusion centers often receive new shipments during the week.

What If You Still Can't Find Bevacizumab?

If you've tried these tips and are still coming up empty, there are additional options:

Contact Genentech Directly

Genentech's Avastin Access Solutions team can help locate supply and connect you with assistance programs. Call (855) MY-COPAY (855-692-6729) for support.

Talk to Your Oncologist About Alternative Treatments

Depending on your cancer type, there may be alternative anti-VEGF medications your doctor can consider, such as Ramucirumab (Cyramza) or Ziv-Aflibercept (Zaltrap). These aren't identical to Bevacizumab, but they target similar pathways and may be appropriate for your situation.

Check the ASHP Drug Shortage Database

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) maintains a drug shortage database with current status updates for Bevacizumab products. This can give you and your provider insight into which specific products are affected and when resupply is expected.

Explore Patient Assistance Programs

If cost is also a barrier, financial assistance programs from Genentech and independent foundations may help. The Genentech Patient Foundation provides free Avastin to eligible uninsured or underinsured patients.

Final Thoughts

Finding Bevacizumab during a shortage requires persistence, but you have more options than you might think. With six biosimilars on the market, tools like Medfinder, and support from your oncology team, you can keep your treatment on track.

Don't wait until your infusion day to discover there's a supply issue. Be proactive — check availability ahead of time, have backup plans in place, and keep communication open with your care team.

Learn more about the current shortage situation in our Bevacizumab shortage update for 2026.