Pancreaze Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you or someone you love takes Pancreaze (pancrelipase) for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), you may have heard about shortages affecting pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies and wondered: Is Pancreaze itself in shortage? Here is what we know in 2026.

Current Pancreaze Shortage Status (2026)

As of 2026, Pancreaze is NOT on the FDA's official drug shortage database. This is meaningful — the FDA shortage list reflects confirmed supply constraints reported directly by manufacturers and distributors.

However, "not on the shortage list" does not mean "available everywhere at every pharmacy." Patients across the U.S. continue to report difficulty filling Pancreaze prescriptions at certain pharmacies and for certain strengths. These are real-world supply chain challenges — they just haven't risen to the level of an FDA-declared shortage for Pancreaze specifically.

VIVUS LLC, which now manufactures Pancreaze (the brand was acquired from Janssen), reports that Pancreaze is covered on 81% of commercial insurance plans as of January 2026 — a sign of broad market presence and distribution.

What Has Been Driving PERT Supply Problems?

The availability challenges patients face with Pancreaze are largely downstream effects of a broader PERT market disruption:

• The Creon shortage (2022–2026). Creon, manufactured by AbbVie and the most widely prescribed PERT in the U.S., experienced significant supply disruptions beginning in late 2022. Although some pressure has eased, regional and strength-specific gaps have persisted into 2026. When Creon is unavailable, patients and providers switch to alternatives — including Pancreaze — putting strain on those supply chains.
• No generic competition. There is no FDA-approved generic version of any pancrelipase product. This means the five-brand PERT market (Creon, Pancreaze, Zenpep, Pertzye, Viokace) must absorb all U.S. demand with no generic safety net when supply tightens.
• Complex biological manufacturing. Pancrelipase is sourced from porcine (pig) pancreas tissue. This biological origin makes manufacturing more complex and variable than for chemically synthesized drugs — there are more potential points of disruption in the supply chain.
• Rising demand. The global EPI treatment market was valued at $3 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at 6% annually through 2035, driven by rising rates of chronic pancreatitis and cystic fibrosis, and improved EPI diagnosis. More diagnosed patients means higher demand for PERT products.

Which Pancreaze Strengths Are Most Affected?

Pancreaze comes in six strengths (2,600; 4,200; 10,500; 16,800; 21,000; and 37,000 lipase units per capsule). Based on patient reports and pharmacy experience, the mid-range strengths most commonly prescribed for adults — such as the MT 10 (10,500 units) and MT 16 (16,800 units) — may face more demand-related stockouts at individual pharmacy locations.

Smaller or less-prescribed strengths may actually be easier to find in some markets simply because demand is lower. Your specific experience will vary by location and by which pharmacy you use.

What Should EPI Patients Do Right Now?

Whether or not Pancreaze is on an official shortage list, proactive management is always the right approach for any medication you can't live without. Here are steps to take in 2026:

1. Refill early. Request your Pancreaze refill 5–7 days before you run out. This gives your pharmacy time to order the medication if it's temporarily out of stock.
2. Use medfinder to check availability. medfinder contacts pharmacies near you to find which ones have your specific Pancreaze strength in stock. Results are texted to you.
3. Identify a backup pharmacy. Have a second pharmacy — ideally an independent or specialty pharmacy — that knows you and your medication. These pharmacies often have more flexible ordering and may be able to source your Pancreaze even when chains cannot.
4. Know your alternative PERT options. Talk to your prescriber about which alternative PERT (Creon, Zenpep, or Pertzye) would be appropriate for you if Pancreaze becomes unavailable. Getting this conversation done ahead of time means you won't be scrambling when you're low.
5. Don't stop taking your medication. Missing Pancreaze doses — even for a day or two — can cause significant malabsorption, malnutrition, and EPI symptom flares. Never ration your doses without medical guidance.

Is the Pancreaze Availability Situation Improving?

The overall PERT market has shown gradual improvement since the acute disruptions of 2022–2024, and Pancreaze is not currently in an FDA-declared shortage. VIVUS's broad insurance plan coverage (81% of commercial plans) suggests strong distribution. The structural factors — no generic, biological manufacturing complexity, rising demand — remain unchanged, meaning occasional regional stockouts will likely continue.

For practical strategies on locating Pancreaze today, read our companion guide: How to Find Pancreaze in Stock Near You (Tools + Tips).