Is the Humira Pen Starter Pack Still Hard to Get in 2026?

If you've been told your pharmacy doesn't have the Humira Pen 40 Mg/0.4 Ml Starter Pack, you might be wondering: is there a shortage? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.

As of early 2026, Humira is not listed on the FDA's official drug shortage list. But that doesn't mean finding it at your local pharmacy is easy. The brand-name Humira landscape has changed dramatically, and many patients are experiencing real difficulty getting this specific formulation filled.

Here's everything you need to know about Humira availability in 2026.

Is There a Formal Humira Shortage?

No. The FDA has not designated brand-name Humira (Adalimumab) as being in shortage. AbbVie continues to manufacture and distribute the medication.

However, there are several factors creating what feels like a shortage for patients:

• Reduced pharmacy stocking: As more than 10 biosimilars have entered the market since 2023, many pharmacies have reduced or eliminated their brand-name Humira inventory.
• Insurance preference for biosimilars: Many insurance plans now require biosimilars as the first-line option, making it harder to get brand-name Humira approved.
• Starter pack specificity: The starter pack configuration is ordered less frequently than maintenance cartons, so even pharmacies that stock Humira may not have this specific packaging.

Why Is It So Hard to Find?

The Humira market has fundamentally shifted. Here's what's driving the difficulty:

The Biosimilar Wave

Since January 2023, biosimilars like Hyrimoz, Hadlima, Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hulio, Yuflyma, Idacio, Yusimry, and Simlandi have all launched in the U.S. As of 2026, more than 10 biosimilar versions of Adalimumab are available.

This has been a seismic shift. According to market data, Hyrimoz alone accounts for about 47% of biosimilar switches, followed by Simlandi at 24% and Hadlima at 13%. Many pharmacies have simply replaced their Humira stock with these alternatives.

Insurance Formulary Changes

Major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) like Express Scripts and CVS Caremark have moved biosimilars to preferred formulary positions. Express Scripts' National Preferred Formulary now includes Cyltezo and Sandoz products (Hyrimoz and unbranded Adalimumab-adaz) alongside Humira.

For patients, this means your plan may cover a biosimilar at a lower copay than brand-name Humira — or may not cover brand-name Humira at all without a special exception.

Specialty Pharmacy Distribution

Humira has always been distributed primarily through specialty pharmacies. But as the market fragments across multiple biosimilar options, some specialty pharmacies are prioritizing the products their contracted plans prefer.

For a complete breakdown, read why Humira Pen Starter Pack is so hard to find in 2026.

How Much Does Humira Cost in 2026?

Humira remains one of the most expensive medications in the U.S.:

• Brand-name Humira list price: Approximately $6,900 per carton (2 pens of 40 mg/0.4 mL)
• Cash price without insurance: Ranges from $7,300 to $11,000 depending on the pharmacy
• With the HUMIRA Complete Savings Card: Eligible commercially insured patients may pay as little as $5 per month
• Medicare Part D patients: Will pay no more than $2,100 out-of-pocket annually in 2026, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act cap

Biosimilar prices are dramatically lower. Hadlima costs about $1,038 per carton, and unbranded Hyrimoz is approximately $1,315 per carton.

For a full guide on saving money, see How to Save Money on Humira in 2026.

New Options for Patients in 2026

The silver lining of the biosimilar wave is that patients now have more choices than ever:

• Interchangeable biosimilars: Cyltezo, Amjevita, Hyrimoz, Abrilada, Hulio, and Simlandi all have interchangeability designations, meaning pharmacists in most states can substitute them directly.
• Lower-cost options: If cost has been a barrier, biosimilars priced at $1,000–$1,300 per carton represent a massive reduction from Humira's $6,900+ list price.
• Citrate-free formulations: Some biosimilars, including Hadlima, are available in citrate-free high-concentration formulations — the same type as the Humira Pen 40 mg/0.4 mL you may already be using.

Read our detailed comparison in Alternatives to Humira Pen Starter Pack.

How to Find Humira Pen Starter Pack in Stock

If you specifically need brand-name Humira, here's what to do:

1. Use Medfinder to search for real-time pharmacy availability near you.
2. Contact your specialty pharmacy directly to confirm they can order the starter pack configuration.
3. Call HUMIRA Complete at 1-800-4HUMIRA (1-800-448-6472) for help locating the medication and navigating insurance.
4. Ask your doctor's office to help coordinate with the specialty pharmacy your insurance requires.

For more tips, see How to Find Humira Pen Starter Pack in Stock Near You.

Final Thoughts

While there's no formal Humira shortage in 2026, the brand-name Humira Pen 40 Mg/0.4 Ml Starter Pack has become genuinely harder to find as the market shifts toward biosimilars. The good news is that effective, FDA-approved alternatives are widely available, often at a fraction of the cost.

Whether you stick with brand-name Humira or switch to a biosimilar, the most important thing is continuing your treatment without interruption. Use the tools and resources in this guide to find what you need, and don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor or Medfinder for help.