Your Patient Can't Find Dovato — Now What?

It's a scenario that plays out regularly in HIV clinics: a patient returns to report they couldn't fill their Dovato prescription. The pharmacy didn't have it. They called two more — same story. Now they're anxious, running low on medication, and looking to you for answers.

As providers, we can't control pharmacy inventory. But we can take proactive steps to minimize these disruptions and ensure our patients maintain uninterrupted access to their antiretroviral therapy.

This guide provides a practical, step-by-step approach to helping patients access Dovato (Dolutegravir 50 mg/Lamivudine 300 mg) in the current availability landscape.

Current Availability Landscape

As of early 2026, Dovato is not in shortage per the FDA. ViiV Healthcare continues to manufacture and ship the product. The access challenges are retail-level:

• Many chain pharmacies don't stock Dovato routinely. Biktarvy dominates the INSTI-based STR market, and pharmacy chains tend to stock what they dispense most frequently.
• Specialty pharmacies are more reliable but may not be conveniently located for all patients.
• Mail-order specialty pharmacies offer the most consistent supply but require advance planning.
• 340B pharmacies vary based on covered entity formulary decisions.

Understanding this landscape is the first step to building an effective access strategy for your patients. For the full supply chain context, see our provider shortage briefing.

Why Patients Can't Find Dovato

When patients report they can't find Dovato, the cause usually falls into one of these categories:

1. Pharmacy doesn't stock it: The most common scenario. The pharmacy can order it but doesn't keep it on the shelf.
2. Insurance prior authorization pending: The pharmacy received the prescription but is waiting for PA approval before ordering.
3. Patient went to a non-specialty pharmacy: General retail pharmacies are less likely to carry specialty HIV medications.
4. Timing: The patient waited until they were nearly out of medication, leaving no buffer for ordering delays.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Actionable Steps

Step 1: Verify Stock Before Prescribing

Before sending a Dovato prescription to a pharmacy, check whether that pharmacy has it in stock. This simple step prevents the most common access failure.

Medfinder for Providers allows you or your staff to search real-time pharmacy inventory by medication and location. You can identify a pharmacy with Dovato in stock and send the prescription directly there.

Workflow tip: Assign a medical assistant or pharmacy liaison to run a Medfinder check whenever a Dovato prescription is written or refilled.

Step 2: Build a Preferred Pharmacy List

Identify 3-5 pharmacies in your area that reliably stock Dovato. This list should include:

• At least one specialty pharmacy (HIV-focused if possible)
• One or two independent pharmacies that serve HIV patients
• A mail-order option for patients who prefer home delivery

Share this list with your front desk and nursing staff so they can guide patients proactively. Update it quarterly or whenever a pharmacy reports stocking changes.

Step 3: Submit Prior Authorization Proactively

Don't wait for a pharmacy rejection to trigger PA. When initiating or continuing Dovato for a patient whose plan requires authorization:

• Submit the PA at the time of prescribing
• Use electronic PA through your EHR when available (e.g., CoverMyMeds, Surescripts)
• Include supporting clinical documentation: viral load, treatment history, rationale for two-drug regimen

Proactive PA submission can shave days off the access timeline.

Step 4: Connect Patients with ViiV Support

ViiV Healthcare offers several patient support services through ViiV Connect (1-844-588-3288):

• Pharmacy locator: Helps identify pharmacies with Dovato in stock
• Copay savings card: Reduces out-of-pocket costs to as low as $0/month for commercially insured patients
• Patient Assistance Program: Provides free Dovato to qualifying uninsured/underinsured patients
• PA support: Assists with prior authorization submissions

Consider having your care coordinators enroll eligible patients in these programs at the time of prescribing.

Step 5: Have a Bridge Plan Ready

For situations where Dovato truly cannot be obtained in time, have a plan:

• Samples: Keep Dovato samples in your office if available from your ViiV representative
• Temporary alternative: Identify an equivalent regimen that's readily available (e.g., Biktarvy) that you could switch to temporarily if clinically appropriate
• Emergency supply: Some pharmacies can provide a 3-5 day emergency supply while the full order is processed

Alternatives to Consider

When a switch from Dovato is necessary — whether temporary or long-term — these are the primary options:

• Biktarvy (Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/TAF): Widely available, once-daily, INSTI-based. The most common alternative.
• Triumeq (Dolutegravir/Abacavir/Lamivudine): Same INSTI backbone; requires HLA-B*5701 screening; avoid if positive.
• Cabenuva (Cabotegravir/Rilpivirine injectable): For virologically suppressed patients; monthly or every-2-month dosing eliminates daily oral medication.
• Symtuza (Darunavir/Cobicistat/Emtricitabine/TAF): PI-based option for patients where INSTI resistance is a concern.

Critical reminder: If your patient is co-infected with hepatitis B, discontinuing Dovato (which contains Lamivudine) requires careful HBV management. Ensure HBV coverage is maintained and monitor hepatic function during any transition. See the alternatives guide for more details.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

Integrating medication access into your clinical workflow can prevent many of these issues from arising:

At the Visit

• Ask patients about their pharmacy experience at every visit
• Confirm which pharmacy they use and whether it stocks Dovato
• Run a Medfinder check if there's any doubt

Between Visits

• Set up automatic refill reminders (many EHRs and patient portals support this)
• Flag patients on Dovato for proactive outreach if availability changes
• Maintain an updated preferred pharmacy list accessible to all staff

In Your EHR

• Add preferred pharmacies as favorites for Dovato prescriptions
• Create a note template for PA submissions specific to Dovato
• Document the patient's pharmacy access history for continuity

Final Thoughts

Helping patients find Dovato in stock requires a combination of proactive prescribing, smart pharmacy partnerships, and patient education. The access challenges are real but manageable with the right systems in place.

By verifying stock before prescribing, building a reliable pharmacy network, and connecting patients with manufacturer support programs, you can significantly reduce treatment interruptions and improve outcomes for your HIV patients.

Start by adding Medfinder for Providers to your workflow — it takes seconds and can save your patients hours of frustration.