Klisyri Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you or someone you care for has been prescribed Klisyri (tirbanibulin) for actinic keratosis and you're struggling to find it at local pharmacies, you may be wondering: is there an official shortage? Here's the most current information patients need to know in 2026.

Is Klisyri Currently in an Official FDA Shortage?

As of 2026, Klisyri (tirbanibulin) is NOT listed on the FDA's official Drug Shortage Database. This means Almirall, the manufacturer, has not reported a supply disruption to the FDA that meets the criteria for a formal shortage declaration. The drug is being manufactured and distributed.

However — and this is an important distinction — the absence of an official shortage does not mean Klisyri is easy to find. Patients across the country report significant difficulty locating it at retail pharmacies. This is a distribution and stocking issue, not a manufacturing problem.

Why Is Klisyri Hard to Find Even Without a Formal Shortage?

The pharmacy availability challenges with Klisyri in 2026 stem from several structural market factors:

Brand-only status: There is no FDA-approved generic tirbanibulin. Pharmacies must pay the full brand price to stock it (~$1,900 retail), which many choose not to do for slow-moving specialty drugs.

Insurer step therapy restrictions keep prescription volume low, since many patients must try cheaper alternatives first before insurance will cover Klisyri.

Specialty pharmacy routing: Almirall has established an in-network pharmacy system (Almirall Advantage Network) that channels many Klisyri prescriptions to specific pharmacies — meaning not all retail pharmacies are set up to carry it.

Geographic variation: Availability tends to be better in areas with higher concentrations of dermatology practices and higher-income suburban communities where brand dermatology prescriptions are more common.

What Has Changed With Klisyri in Recent Years?

Since Klisyri's initial FDA approval in December 2020, there have been two major regulatory updates:

June 2024 — FDA expanded treatment area: The FDA approved an expanded treatment area for Klisyri from 25 cm² to up to 100 cm² (about 4x4 inches). This allows dermatologists to treat a significantly larger area of the face or scalp, making Klisyri more useful for patients with widespread actinic keratosis.

New packet sizes: The FDA expansion introduced new 350 mg packets (in addition to the original 250 mg packets) to provide adequate coverage for the larger treatment area.

These changes increased the usefulness of Klisyri for dermatologists, which may modestly increase demand going forward — but supply remains adequate at the manufacturer level.

What Should Patients Do Right Now?

If you have a Klisyri prescription and are struggling to fill it, here are your immediate action steps:

Use medfinder to have pharmacies in your area called to check stock — it saves you hours of calling.

Ask your dermatologist to route the prescription to an Almirall Advantage Network pharmacy for in-network pricing and reliable stock.

Ask your current pharmacy to special-order Klisyri — most can do so within 1–2 business days.

Ask your dermatologist about samples if you need to begin treatment immediately.

If Klisyri remains inaccessible, ask about alternatives — fluorouracil (5-FU) cream and imiquimod cream are effective options widely available at low cost.

Should I Be Worried About My Actinic Keratosis Going Untreated?

Actinic keratosis is a pre-cancerous condition, and while it's not immediately dangerous, delaying treatment for extended periods is not recommended. If you cannot access Klisyri within 2–4 weeks, it's reasonable to discuss starting an alternative treatment with your dermatologist rather than waiting indefinitely. Your dermatologist can always switch you back to Klisyri once it's accessible.

For step-by-step guidance on locating Klisyri, see our complete guide on how to find Klisyri in stock near you.