Plaquenil Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

For patients with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune conditions, Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is not optional—it's a daily medication that many have taken for years or even decades. When the supply is disrupted, the consequences can be serious. Here's the most current information on the Plaquenil supply situation as of 2026 and what you should do if you're affected.

Current Plaquenil Availability Status (2026)

Generic hydroxychloroquine is currently available from multiple manufacturers, including Dr. Reddy's, Amneal, Mylan (Viatris), and others. Brand-name Plaquenil (Concordia) continues to be available. However, not every pharmacy carries every manufacturer's version, and some manufacturers have discontinued their products—most notably Sun Pharma, which discontinued its hydroxychloroquine tablets, and Teva, which discontinued a specific NDC in January 2026.

The result: nationwide there is no complete shortage, but localized supply gaps at individual pharmacies are common and ongoing. Patients in some regions—particularly rural areas or those dependent on a single pharmacy chain—may find their specific pharmacy does not have it in stock.

A Brief History of Hydroxychloroquine Shortages

Hydroxychloroquine has a complicated supply history that patients should understand:

• 2020 (COVID-19 surge): Early reports suggested hydroxychloroquine might treat COVID-19, triggering a massive demand spike. Most manufacturers reported backorders. Lupus and RA patients were unable to refill prescriptions. Patient advocacy groups intervened with Congress to protect access for chronic disease patients.
• 2020–2022 (recovery): Supply gradually stabilized. Multiple manufacturers ramped up production, and donated doses from overseas helped fill the gap in the United States.
• 2023–2026 (ongoing localized gaps): Some manufacturers have exited the market (Sun Pharma, certain Teva NDCs). Others remain available. The situation is stable nationally but unpredictable at individual pharmacies.

Why Do Localized Shortages Keep Happening?

Even when the national supply is adequate, patients may face localized shortages for several reasons:

• Each pharmacy sources its generics from specific distributors, and if that distributor has a gap, the pharmacy does too
• High demand in some ZIP codes (especially near large rheumatology or dermatology practices) can cause faster inventory turnover
• Generic manufacturers periodically discontinue products, reducing the total number of available sources
• Pharmacies that rely on a single wholesaler don't automatically switch to alternate sources when one runs out

What Should Patients Do Right Now?

If you're having trouble filling your Plaquenil prescription, here are the most important steps:

1. Don't wait until you're out. If your pharmacy is already out of stock, start your search 7–10 days before you run out—not the day of.
2. Call multiple pharmacies. Or use medfinder to do it for you.
3. Ask your pharmacist to order it. If your pharmacy's distributor doesn't have it today, they may get a shipment in 1–3 business days. Ask them to flag it for you.
4. Ask about 90-day supplies. If your insurance allows it, getting a 90-day supply means you only need to find it four times per year instead of twelve.
5. Tell your doctor. If you're consistently having trouble filling your prescription, your rheumatologist needs to know. They may have leads on specific pharmacies or may want to document the situation.

Should You Stop Plaquenil During a Shortage?

No. Because hydroxychloroquine has an extremely long half-life (approximately 40–50 days), skipping a few doses while you search for supply is generally not immediately dangerous—your body still has significant drug levels. However, an extended gap (weeks to months) increases flare risk for lupus patients and inflammation risk for RA patients. Always contact your doctor before making any decision to take a break from your medication.

medfinder Can Help You Find Plaquenil Today

If you're in the middle of a supply search right now, medfinder calls pharmacies near you and texts you which ones have your prescription in stock. See also: How to Find Plaquenil in Stock Near You for more tips.