How to Help Your Patients Find Durezol in Stock: A Provider's Guide

As a prescriber, you've likely already heard it: "My pharmacy says they don't have Durezol." With the difluprednate shortage ongoing since April 2024, front desk staff, nurses, and prescribers at ophthalmology and optometry practices are fielding more calls than ever from patients who can't fill their post-surgical or uveitis prescriptions.

This guide gives you and your team practical, step-by-step workflows to help patients navigate the shortage — without overwhelming your staff or compromising patient outcomes.

Step 1: Set Expectations at the Point of Prescribing

The best time to address the shortage is before the patient even leaves your office. When you write or send a Durezol prescription, proactively inform the patient:

There is an ongoing shortage of generic difluprednate — they may need to check multiple pharmacies

Brand-name Durezol is generally available but is more expensive

Give them a resource for finding it quickly (see Step 2)

Make clear they should call your office if they cannot fill the prescription rather than simply going without it

Step 2: Direct Patients to medfinder

One of the most efficient tools available to providers is medfinder. medfinder contacts pharmacies near the patient to find which ones have Durezol or generic difluprednate in stock. Results are communicated back to the patient, saving hours of phone calls. You can incorporate a referral to medfinder into your discharge paperwork or patient education materials for post-surgical patients.

Step 3: Establish a Standard Shortage Phone Protocol for Your Staff

When patients call reporting they can't find Durezol, your staff should be trained to follow a consistent workflow. Here's a suggested script:

Confirm the exact prescription: Difluprednate 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion, 5 mL bottle

Ask which pharmacy they checked and when (stock changes day to day)

Advise them to try independent pharmacies and hospital pharmacies in addition to chains

Refer them to medfinder.com to search for availability

If unable to locate after 24–48 hours, schedule a callback with the prescriber to discuss alternatives

Step 4: Keep a Ready Alternative Prescription on File

For high-risk post-surgical patients, consider having a backup prescription for prednisolone acetate 1% ready and waiting. If the patient calls to report Durezol is unavailable, your staff can send the backup prescription immediately without requiring a new prescriber consultation, minimizing gaps in post-operative care.

Communicate to the patient clearly that:

The alternative is a bridge, not a permanent switch

They should continue searching for Durezol or the generic and transition back if available

Dosing for prednisolone acetate will be different — typically 6–8 times a day, not 4 times a day

Step 5: Address Cost Barriers Proactively

Many patients can't afford brand-name Durezol at $250–$400 per bottle. Equipping your staff with savings resources can prevent patients from simply going without. Share the following with patients:

GoodRx: Coupons can bring generic difluprednate to as low as $44–$49 when available at pharmacies near the patient

SingleCare: Another option for discount pricing on Durezol

Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation: For qualifying uninsured or underinsured patients, brand Durezol may be available at no cost

Insurance prior auth for brand: Submit documentation of generic unavailability to request brand coverage at the generic copay tier

Step 6: Track Which Local Pharmacies Have Consistent Supply

During prolonged shortages, some practices build a working list of pharmacies in their area that reliably carry difluprednate — particularly hospital pharmacies or specialty ophthalmology-focused pharmacies. When patients call, your staff can provide this curated list immediately, reducing the time to finding a fill.

For a full clinical overview of the shortage, see our Durezol shortage clinical guide for providers.