Your patients are struggling to find Victoza — here's how you can help

As a prescriber, you're likely hearing a familiar refrain from patients with type 2 diabetes: "My pharmacy can't get Victoza." The ongoing GLP-1 shortage has made this a near-daily challenge in many clinical settings.

While the supply problem is outside your direct control, there are concrete steps you can take to help patients maintain therapy continuity. This guide outlines a practical approach to managing Victoza access issues within your practice.

Current Victoza availability

As of early 2026, Victoza (Liraglutide 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, 1.8 mg) remains in intermittent shortage across the United States. Supply varies significantly by:

• Geographic region
• Pharmacy type (chain vs. independent vs. specialty)
• Wholesaler relationships
• Week-to-week allocation fluctuations

For a complete overview of the shortage landscape, see our provider shortage briefing.

Why patients can't find Victoza

Understanding the root causes helps frame the conversation with patients:

• Demand exceeds supply across the entire GLP-1 class, not just Victoza
• Manufacturing lead times for injectable biologics are measured in years, not months
• Off-label weight management use has expanded the patient population competing for limited supply
• Patients often search reactively — calling their usual pharmacy and giving up after one or two attempts

5 steps providers can take to help patients find Victoza

Step 1: Direct patients to real-time stock tools

The single most impactful action is pointing patients toward Medfinder. This platform provides real-time Victoza availability by zip code, eliminating the need for patients to call multiple pharmacies.

Consider adding the Medfinder link to your after-visit summary or patient handout for GLP-1 prescriptions.

Step 2: Prescribe to multiple pharmacies proactively

When clinically appropriate, send the Victoza prescription to the patient's preferred pharmacy and provide a backup option — such as an independent pharmacy or specialty pharmacy in the area. This gives patients flexibility to fill wherever stock is available first.

Step 3: Maintain active prior authorizations for alternatives

Don't wait until Victoza is unavailable to start the prior authorization process for backup medications. Proactively submit PAs for one or two alternative GLP-1 agents so patients can switch quickly if needed:

• Trulicity (Dulaglutide) — generally more available
• Ozempic (Semaglutide) — strong efficacy but also supply-constrained
• Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) — excellent efficacy data, may require step therapy
• Rybelsus (oral Semaglutide) — oral option for injection-averse patients

Step 4: Coordinate with pharmacy partners

Build relationships with pharmacies that reliably stock GLP-1 medications. Specialty pharmacies and independent pharmacies may have better access to Victoza than large chain pharmacies. Some practices designate a preferred pharmacy partner for GLP-1 prescriptions.

Step 5: Educate patients on timing and persistence

Many patients call their pharmacy once, hear "we don't have it," and assume it's unavailable everywhere. Encourage patients to:

• Ask about the pharmacy's next restock date
• Request that the pharmacist hold Victoza when it arrives
• Check back on delivery days (typically 2–3 times per week)
• Try pharmacies outside their immediate area

Alternatives when Victoza remains unavailable

If a patient cannot obtain Victoza despite exhausting the above strategies, therapeutic substitution is appropriate. The following agents offer comparable glycemic efficacy within the GLP-1 class:

• Dulaglutide (Trulicity): Once-weekly; user-friendly pen; solid cardiovascular outcomes data
• Semaglutide (Ozempic): Once-weekly; potent A1C and weight reduction; also faces supply issues
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro): Once-weekly dual-agonist; superior weight and glycemic outcomes in trials
• Exenatide ER (Bydureon): Once-weekly; older agent but may have better availability

For a patient-friendly overview of alternatives you can share, see Alternatives to Victoza.

Workflow tips for your practice

• Flag GLP-1 patients in your EHR so staff can proactively check on fill status at follow-up visits
• Create a standard handout with Medfinder links, pharmacy tips, and savings program information to give at the point of prescribing
• Batch prior authorizations for alternative agents during dedicated admin time
• Track which local pharmacies consistently have GLP-1 stock and maintain an internal reference list
• Set follow-up reminders for patients newly started on Victoza to confirm successful fill within 7 days

Final thoughts

The Victoza shortage creates an additional burden on clinical teams, but a proactive approach can significantly reduce patient disruption. By leveraging tools like Medfinder for Providers, maintaining backup prior authorizations, and building pharmacy relationships, you can help ensure your patients maintain continuity of their diabetes management.

For the broader shortage context, read our companion article: Victoza shortage — What providers need to know in 2026.