Your Patients Need Bromfenac — Here's How to Make Sure They Get It

When a cataract surgery patient calls your office the day after their procedure saying the pharmacy can't fill their Bromfenac prescription, it creates a clinical problem and an administrative headache. Post-operative inflammation management shouldn't wait, and neither should your patients.

This guide provides a practical, actionable framework for ophthalmology practices and prescribers to proactively manage Bromfenac access for their surgical patients — from pre-operative planning through post-operative follow-up.

Current Availability: What You Need to Know

As of 2026, Bromfenac is available in three forms in the US market:

• Generic bromfenac 0.09% — The most commonly dispensed; available from a limited number of generic manufacturers
• Prolensa (bromfenac 0.07%) — Brand-name from Bausch + Lomb; lower concentration with DuraSite vehicle
• BromSite (bromfenac 0.075%) — Brand-name from Sun Pharma; DuraSite2 vehicle; approved for prevention and treatment

Bromfenac is not on formal shortage lists (FDA or ASHP), but real-world availability is inconsistent. The root cause is low pharmacy inventory for a niche, short-course ophthalmic medication — not a manufacturing shortage.

For the full supply chain background, see our provider shortage briefing.

Why Patients Can't Find It

Understanding the bottlenecks helps you design better workflows:

1. Chain pharmacies don't stock niche ophthalmics. Large retail chains optimize shelf space for high-volume medications. A drug prescribed for 14 days to post-surgical patients doesn't make the cut at many locations.
2. Limited generic manufacturers. Sterile ophthalmic production requires specialized equipment. Fewer producers means less consistent distribution.
3. Insurance creates access friction. Prior authorization, step therapy (try ketorolac first), and non-formulary status for brand Bromfenac all add delays. Patients who hit these roadblocks at the pharmacy often don't know what to do next.
4. Timing pressure. Patients need Bromfenac the day after surgery. There's no buffer for ordering delays or insurance processing.
5. Cost surprises. Patients without coverage may face cash prices of $70-$475 depending on formulation. Sticker shock at the register can lead to abandonment.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Steps

Step 1: Send Prescriptions Early

The single most impactful change is transmitting the Bromfenac prescription 3-5 days before the scheduled surgery date. This gives the pharmacy time to:

• Check current stock
• Order from their wholesaler if needed (typically 1-2 day turnaround)
• Process insurance claims and initiate prior authorization if required

Build this into your pre-surgical workflow as a standard step, not an afterthought.

Step 2: Verify Pharmacy Stock Before the Patient Leaves

Use Medfinder for Providers to check real-time Bromfenac availability at your patient's preferred pharmacy. If the pharmacy doesn't have it, you can redirect the prescription to one that does — while the patient is still in your office.

This one step eliminates the most common complaint: "My pharmacy doesn't have it and I don't know what to do."

Step 3: Keep Backup Prescriptions Ready

Have alternative prescriptions prepared for situations where Bromfenac is unavailable. Your pre-printed or templated alternatives should include:

• Ketorolac 0.5%: 1 drop QID × 14 days (most available, lowest cost)
• Nepafenac 0.3% (Ilevro): 1 drop QD × 14 days (closest dosing match)
• Diclofenac 0.1%: 1 drop QID × 14 days (widely available generic)

Discuss with patients upfront that if their pharmacy can't fill Bromfenac, you have an approved backup plan. This reduces anxiety and prevents delays.

Step 4: Educate Patients on Cost-Saving Options

Many patients don't know that discount cards can dramatically reduce the cost of generic Bromfenac. Provide a brief handout or direct patients to our savings guide that covers:

• GoodRx, SingleCare, and RxSaver discount cards (generic Bromfenac as low as $35-$75)
• Patient assistance programs through NeedyMeds and RxAssist for uninsured patients
• Manufacturer programs from Sun Pharma and Bausch + Lomb for qualifying patients

Step 5: Partner with Nearby Pharmacies

Establish a relationship with 1-2 pharmacies that reliably stock Bromfenac — ideally independent pharmacies near your practice. Benefits include:

• Consistent inventory based on your surgical volume
• Direct communication channel for stock issues
• Better patient experience with shorter wait times

Some practices negotiate with a nearby pharmacy to maintain a minimum stock level of post-surgical drops based on their surgery schedule.

Alternatives: A Clinical Quick Reference

When switching a patient from Bromfenac, consider these evidence-based alternatives:

All alternatives share the same NSAID mechanism (COX inhibition) and are effective for post-cataract inflammation. The primary tradeoffs are dosing frequency, cost, and specific vehicle characteristics.

For a patient-facing resource, direct patients to: Alternatives to Bromfenac.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

• Surgical scheduling trigger: When a cataract surgery is booked, automatically generate and send the Bromfenac prescription 3-5 days pre-op.
• Stock check at checkout: Train front desk or surgical coordinators to verify pharmacy availability using Medfinder before the patient leaves.
• Patient education packet: Include a one-page handout covering: what Bromfenac is, how to use it, what to do if the pharmacy is out, and links to savings resources.
• Callback protocol: If a patient reports a stock-out, have a standardized protocol: check alternatives, send new prescription to a verified pharmacy, follow up within 24 hours.

Final Thoughts

Bromfenac access challenges are solvable with the right workflow adjustments. By prescribing early, verifying stock proactively, maintaining backup alternatives, and educating patients on cost options, your practice can virtually eliminate post-surgical prescription delays.

Visit Medfinder for Providers to start checking real-time pharmacy availability for your patients today. For more on the current supply landscape, read our Bromfenac shortage briefing for providers.