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

When you prescribe Lacrisert (hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic insert) for a patient with moderate to severe dry eye disease, you expect them to be able to fill it. But Lacrisert's supply history — repeated shortages, manufacturing recertification, and inconsistent pharmacy stocking — means many patients come back frustrated, still without their medication. This guide gives you actionable strategies to improve the chances your patients can actually get Lacrisert in hand when they need it.

Why Your Patients Are Having Trouble Filling Lacrisert

Lacrisert is not widely stocked at retail pharmacies. Because its prescription volume is low, many pharmacies simply do not carry it as a routine inventory item. While the national shortage that began in 2020 has formally resolved, patients encounter pharmacy-level stockouts regularly. Most patients do not know which pharmacies carry it and spend hours calling around.

Strategy 1: Recommend medfinder to Every Lacrisert Patient

medfinder is a paid service that calls pharmacies on a patient's behalf to check which ones have a specific medication in stock. For Lacrisert — a drug that can be nearly impossible to find without a dozen phone calls — this is a significant time-saver for patients. Direct patients to medfinder.com and encourage them to use it at every refill cycle. They enter their medication, dosage, and zip code, and receive a text with which pharmacies nearby have it in stock.

Strategy 2: Maintain a Short List of Reliable Pharmacies

Across your patient panel, you likely already know which 1–2 local pharmacies reliably stock Lacrisert. Document this list and share it with patients at the time of prescribing. Hospital outpatient pharmacies affiliated with your ophthalmology or optometry practice are often the most reliable stocking points for niche ophthalmic medications. Large retail chain pharmacies with centralized ordering (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid) are generally a better bet than small independents.

Strategy 3: Provide Specific NDC and Dispensing Information

When prescribing or calling a pharmacy on a patient's behalf, use precise product identifiers to help pharmacy staff look up inventory correctly:

Product name: Lacrisert (hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic insert)

Strength: 5 mg per insert

Package: 60-unit dose package with 2 reusable applicators

NDC: 24208-800-60 (distributed by Bausch + Lomb)

Manufacturer contact: Bausch + Lomb, 1-800-321-4576

Strategy 4: Consider Mail-Order Pharmacy for Long-Term Patients

For patients on long-term Lacrisert therapy, transitioning to a mail-order pharmacy can reduce the search problem significantly. Many insurance plans offer preferred mail-order pharmacy options; some plans offer 90-day supplies at reduced copays. Patients on mail order should be counseled to order their next supply at least 3–4 weeks before running out, given the potential for processing delays.

Strategy 5: Pre-Authorize a Backup Prescription

Given Lacrisert's history, it is good practice to issue a concurrent prescription for an alternative dry eye therapy at every visit — particularly for patients who are highly dependent on Lacrisert. Cyclosporine 0.05% (generic available) is a reasonable first-line choice, and lifitegrast 5% (Xiidra) may be appropriate for faster-onset symptom relief. Document in the chart that the backup therapy is intended as a bridge if Lacrisert is unavailable — this may ease prior authorization for the alternative if needed.

Navigating Prior Authorization for Lacrisert

Several commercial insurers require prior authorization for Lacrisert, typically including the following criteria:

Diagnosis of moderate to severe dry eye disease (ICD-10: H04.12x, H16.23x, or equivalent)

Documentation of inadequate response to or intolerance of artificial tear solutions

Prescription by or in consultation with a physician specializing in ophthalmology or optometry

Prepare prior auth submissions with objective clinical findings (Schirmer test scores, corneal staining grades, OSDI scores) alongside the narrative of prior treatment attempts. This documentation accelerates review and reduces denial rates.

Patient Counseling Points at the Time of Prescribing

Advise patients that Lacrisert is not stocked at all pharmacies and they should call ahead or use medfinder before making a trip.

Remind patients to refill early (2–3 weeks before their last insert) to allow time to locate stock.

Optimal results may take several weeks of consistent daily use — set realistic expectations.

Lacrisert can cause transient blurred vision after insertion; counsel patients to time insertion when they are not about to drive.

For more provider resources and to learn how medfinder supports prescribers, visit medfinder.com/providers.