Your Patients Can't Find Latisse — Here's How to Help

One of the most common follow-up questions from patients prescribed Latisse (Bimatoprost 0.03%) is: "My pharmacy doesn't have it — what do I do?" As a prescriber, you're in a unique position to help patients navigate this challenge and ensure they can start or continue their eyelash growth treatment without unnecessary delays.

This guide provides practical, actionable steps your practice can take to help patients access Latisse or generic Bimatoprost, along with alternatives and workflow tips to streamline the process.

Current Availability Landscape

Latisse is not in a formal FDA-listed shortage. The availability challenges patients face are driven by:

• Pharmacy stocking decisions: Most retail chains don't carry Latisse as a regular inventory item due to its cosmetic classification
• Distribution focus on aesthetic practices: AbbVie's supply chain prioritizes dermatology offices and medical spas
• Insurance exclusions: Without insurance coverage driving demand, pharmacies have less incentive to stock it
• Patient expectations: Many patients expect to fill any prescription at their usual pharmacy and are unprepared for availability challenges with cosmetic products

For background on these dynamics, see our provider briefing on Latisse availability.

Why Patients Can't Find Latisse

Understanding the patient experience helps you anticipate and address their frustrations:

1. First-fill surprise: Patients prescribed Latisse for the first time often don't expect difficulty filling a legitimate prescription and may feel confused or frustrated
2. Pharmacy runaround: Patients may call multiple pharmacies, be told "we don't carry that," and not know what to do next
3. Cost shock: Even when they find a pharmacy with stock, the $180–$280 price tag for brand-name Latisse can be a barrier, especially since insurance typically doesn't cover it
4. Abandonment: Some patients simply give up — they never fill the prescription, which undermines treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction

What Providers Can Do: 5 Actionable Steps

Step 1: Prescribe Generic Bimatoprost When Appropriate

Generic Bimatoprost 0.03% is therapeutically equivalent to brand-name Latisse and offers two major advantages for patients:

• Better availability: More pharmacies stock generic Bimatoprost, especially since it's also used (at different concentrations) for glaucoma
• Lower cost: $58–$62 with a coupon card versus $180–$280 for the brand

Unless a patient specifically requests brand-name Latisse or needs the included applicators, writing the prescription for generic Bimatoprost improves the likelihood of a smooth fill.

Step 2: Direct Patients to Medfinder

Recommend Medfinder to patients as a tool for checking real-time pharmacy availability. This simple step can save your patients hours of phone calls and pharmacy visits. Consider adding a Medfinder recommendation to your post-visit instructions or patient handouts.

Step 3: Offer In-Office Dispensing

If your practice doesn't already dispense Latisse, consider adding it. In-office dispensing:

• Eliminates pharmacy availability issues entirely
• Improves treatment initiation rates (patients leave with the medication in hand)
• Provides a better patient experience
• Can generate additional practice revenue

Contact your AbbVie/Allergan representative for information on wholesale supply and the Allē loyalty program integration.

Step 4: Proactively Discuss Cost and Savings

Set expectations about cost during the prescribing visit. Many patients don't realize insurance won't cover Latisse until they're at the pharmacy counter. Proactively discussing cost demonstrates empathy and helps patients prepare. Key points to share:

• Brand-name Latisse costs $180–$280 per 5 mL bottle
• Generic Bimatoprost can be as low as $58–$62 with a coupon from GoodRx or SingleCare
• AbbVie's Allē program offers $30 off brand-name Latisse
• The Allergan Patient Assistance Program provides free medication to eligible low-income patients

Direct patients to our savings guide for Latisse for detailed information.

Step 5: Send Prescriptions to the Right Pharmacy

Before sending the prescription, take a moment to confirm the patient's pharmacy carries Bimatoprost. Your staff can call ahead, or you can suggest pharmacies known to stock it. Independent pharmacies and pharmacies near dermatology or ophthalmology clusters are often better bets than large retail chains.

Alternatives to Discuss with Patients

If Latisse or generic Bimatoprost truly isn't accessible, or if a patient is looking for different options, here are alternatives to discuss:

• Generic Bimatoprost 0.03%: Same active ingredient, lower cost, better availability
• Lumigan (Bimatoprost 0.01%): Off-label use for lash growth; lower concentration may produce less dramatic results
• OTC eyelash serums: Products like RevitaLash Advanced (~$100–$150/3 months) or GrandeLASH-MD (~$65–$75/3 months) — these are cosmetics, not drugs, with less robust evidence but no prescription required

For a patient-facing resource on alternatives, share our article on alternatives to Latisse.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

Small workflow changes can significantly improve the Latisse prescribing experience:

Create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Develop a brief SOP for Latisse prescriptions that includes:

• Confirming the patient understands cost and insurance limitations before prescribing
• Verifying pharmacy availability before sending the prescription
• Providing a printed list of savings resources (Allē, GoodRx, SingleCare)
• Recommending Medfinder as a self-service tool

Train Front-Desk Staff

Ensure your front-desk and clinical staff can answer common patient questions about Latisse availability and cost. The most frequent questions are covered in our patient-facing shortage update.

Follow Up on First Fills

Consider a follow-up call or message 1–2 weeks after prescribing to confirm the patient was able to fill their prescription. This catches patients who may have given up due to availability or cost barriers and gives you an opportunity to troubleshoot.

Final Thoughts

Latisse availability challenges are an ongoing reality of prescribing a cosmetic medication in a healthcare system designed around covered drugs. By prescribing generic Bimatoprost, leveraging tools like Medfinder, and proactively addressing cost and availability with patients, you can significantly improve treatment access and patient satisfaction.

For the companion patient guide, see how to find Latisse in stock. For cost-focused guidance, see our provider guide to helping patients save money on Latisse.