Your Patient Needs Zelsuvmi — Now What?

You've diagnosed molluscum contagiosum, discussed treatment options, and decided that Zelsuvmi (berdazimer) topical gel, 10.3% is the right fit. The hard part should be over. But for many providers, the next step — actually getting the medication into the patient's hands — turns out to be the real challenge.

Zelsuvmi is the first FDA-approved at-home topical treatment for MC, approved for patients ≥1 year. It launched commercially in July 2025, but pharmacy stocking remains inconsistent. This guide provides a practical, step-by-step workflow for helping your patients find and fill their Zelsuvmi prescriptions efficiently.

Current Availability: Where Things Stand

As of early 2026, Zelsuvmi is commercially available but not universally stocked. Key distribution facts:

• Walgreens: Select locations carry Zelsuvmi. Availability varies by region.
• Amazon Pharmacy: Reliable home delivery option. Accepts e-prescriptions.
• ASPN Pharmacy Services: Specialty pharmacy distribution partner. Offers home delivery.
• Most independent pharmacies and many chain locations do not routinely stock Zelsuvmi.

The medication requires refrigerated storage (2-8°C) before dispensing and must be discarded 60 days after leaving the refrigerator. This cold-chain requirement limits which pharmacies are willing to carry inventory without confirmed demand.

Zelsuvmi is not on the FDA drug shortage list — the challenge is pharmacy-level distribution, not manufacturer supply. For the full availability picture, see our provider briefing on the Zelsuvmi shortage and prescribing implications.

Why Patients Can't Find It

When patients report difficulty filling their Zelsuvmi prescription, it's typically due to one or more of these factors:

• Pharmacy doesn't stock it: Most common issue. Many pharmacies won't stock a $2,350 product that requires refrigeration without regular demand.
• Insurance denial or PA delay: Prior authorization requirements create delays, and some plans don't cover Zelsuvmi. Meanwhile, the patient is waiting.
• Pharmacy unfamiliarity: Some pharmacists aren't yet familiar with Zelsuvmi and may struggle with ordering or dispensing the two-tube system.
• Cost shock: Patients who discover the cash price (~$2,350) may abandon the prescription without realizing assistance programs exist.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Actionable Steps

Step 1: Route Prescriptions to Known Channels

Don't send Zelsuvmi prescriptions to a pharmacy that's unlikely to have it. Instead:

• E-prescribe to Amazon Pharmacy for home delivery — this is often the path of least resistance
• E-prescribe to ASPN Pharmacy Services if your practice has an existing relationship
• Identify local Walgreens locations that stock Zelsuvmi and route prescriptions there
• Use Medfinder for Providers to search for pharmacies with current stock in the patient's zip code

Step 2: Initiate Prior Authorization Proactively

Many insurers require PA for Zelsuvmi. Save time by submitting PA upfront rather than waiting for a rejection:

• Include ICD-10 code B08.1 (molluscum contagiosum)
• Document the number and distribution of lesions
• Note duration of disease (especially if >12 months without resolution)
• Document any prior treatments attempted (cryotherapy, curettage, etc.)
• Note complications: secondary infections, bleeding, involvement of sensitive areas (face, genitals), or immunocompromised status
• If your state or payer requires dermatologist involvement, document that the prescription originates from dermatology

Step 3: Connect Patients with ZelsuvmiGO

Before the patient leaves your office, provide them with the ZelsuvmiGO contact information:

• Main support line: (888) 309-0186 — help with finding pharmacies, insurance navigation, and PAP enrollment
• Copay assistance enrollment: zelsuvmi.com/copay or (888) 215-8372 — commercially insured patients may pay $0
• Patient assistance program: For uninsured patients, available through the same support line

Connecting patients with ZelsuvmiGO at the point of prescribing, rather than waiting for problems to arise, significantly improves fill rates.

Step 4: Set Realistic Expectations

Let patients know upfront that Zelsuvmi may take a few extra days to fill compared to a routine prescription. Key talking points:

• "This medication is available, but not all pharmacies carry it yet. We're sending it to a pharmacy we know can fill it."
• "Your insurance may need to approve this first — we're submitting the paperwork today."
• "There's a copay assistance program that may cover your out-of-pocket cost. Here's the number to call."

For patient education resources you can share: How to find Zelsuvmi in stock and What is Zelsuvmi?

Step 5: Have a Backup Plan Ready

If Zelsuvmi proves inaccessible for a particular patient, be prepared to pivot:

• Ycanth (cantharidin 0.7%): FDA-approved in-office treatment for MC, ages ≥2. Applied by the provider during the office visit.
• Cryotherapy: Widely available, well-established, effective for limited lesions.
• Curettage: Immediate results for accessible lesions.
• Imiquimod (off-label): At-home option, available as generic, but evidence for MC is mixed.

For detailed information on alternatives: Alternatives to Zelsuvmi.

Workflow Tips for Your Practice

Create a Zelsuvmi Prescribing Protocol

Consider building a standard workflow for Zelsuvmi prescriptions:

1. Decision to prescribe: Document MC diagnosis, lesion count, and treatment rationale
2. Submit PA: Initiate prior authorization if required by the patient's plan
3. Route prescription: E-prescribe to Amazon Pharmacy, ASPN, or confirmed local pharmacy
4. Patient handoff: Provide ZelsuvmiGO information and set expectations for timeline
5. Follow-up: Check in at 1-2 weeks to confirm the prescription was filled and the patient understands the mixing/application process

Educate Your Support Staff

Front desk and medical assistant staff who handle prescription calls should be familiar with:

• The ZelsuvmiGO support number: (888) 309-0186
• The fact that Zelsuvmi isn't at every pharmacy — patients may need to be redirected
• How to use Medfinder for Providers to search availability

Final Thoughts

Zelsuvmi is a meaningful advance for molluscum contagiosum — the first FDA-approved at-home treatment for a condition that has long lacked satisfactory options. The access challenges are real but manageable with the right workflow. By routing prescriptions strategically, engaging patient support programs proactively, and maintaining backup treatment plans, you can help your patients access this breakthrough therapy with minimal friction.

Search for Zelsuvmi availability in your area at Medfinder for Providers.