Malarone Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've been prescribed Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) and couldn't find it at your pharmacy, your first instinct may be to search online for a "Malarone shortage." Here's the full picture of what's happening with Malarone availability in 2026.

Is There an Active Malarone Shortage in 2026?

No. As of 2026, Malarone (atovaquone/proguanil) is not listed on the FDA Drug Shortage database. There is no documented manufacturing disruption, raw material shortage, or supply chain failure affecting atovaquone/proguanil production.

Generic atovaquone/proguanil has been approved and available in the US since approximately 2011, and multiple manufacturers produce it. This means supply is not dependent on a single company's production capacity.

So Why Can't I Find Malarone at My Pharmacy?

The challenge is not a national shortage — it's a stocking problem. Malarone is a travel medication with low and highly seasonal demand. Research surveys have found that adult atovaquone/proguanil is stocked at only about 75% of US pharmacies. The pediatric formulation is stocked at fewer than half.

Pharmacies stock what they sell regularly. Since most Americans don't travel to malaria-endemic regions, many retail pharmacies simply don't keep Malarone on their shelves. This is especially true at suburban and rural locations far from major international airports.

When Is Malarone Hardest to Find?

While there's no formal shortage, there are periods when Malarone becomes harder to locate:

• Summer travel season (May-August): International travel peaks, and pharmacies that do carry Malarone may sell through their stock faster than they can reorder.
• Holiday season (November-January): Holiday travel to sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia drives another demand spike.
• Following news of malaria outbreaks: When news breaks about malaria in a popular tourist destination, demand can briefly spike at specific pharmacy locations.

Has Malarone Ever Been in a Real Shortage?

There have been brief periods of tighter-than-usual supply for atovaquone/proguanil, primarily driven by demand spikes rather than supply disruptions. The broader US drug shortage crisis of 2024-2026 has affected over 300 medications — but Malarone has not been among the drugs with formal FDA shortage designations.

What Should Patients Do Right Now?

If you need Malarone for an upcoming trip:

1. Plan ahead. Get your prescription at least 2-3 weeks before departure.
2. Ask for the generic. Generic atovaquone/proguanil is bioequivalent and may be available when brand Malarone is not.
3. Try travel medicine clinics, Costco Pharmacy, Walmart, and larger chain pharmacies near international airports.
4. Ask your pharmacy to order it. Many will do so within 2-5 business days if given advance notice.
5. Use medfinder to have pharmacies near you called on your behalf. You get texted a list of pharmacies that can fill your prescription.

Is the Malarone Shortage Likely to Get Worse?

Not based on current data. The generic atovaquone/proguanil market has multiple manufacturers, and GSK's patent on Malarone has expired, allowing for broad generic competition. Prices have been generally stable or declining for the generic version. The stocking challenge is structural — low demand at individual retail pharmacies — not a supply chain problem that is expected to worsen.

For step-by-step guidance on locating Malarone in stock, read How to Find Malarone Near You.