Pyzchiva Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

Patients prescribed Pyzchiva (ustekinumab-ttwe) sometimes find it harder to obtain than expected — and it is reasonable to wonder whether there is a drug shortage behind the difficulty. Here is the current status, explained clearly.

Is Pyzchiva Currently in a Drug Shortage?

As of 2026, Pyzchiva is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list. Pyzchiva launched commercially in the United States in February 2025, and Samsung Bioepis and Sandoz have indicated they are actively supplying the US market. There is no known manufacturing disruption or supply chain crisis affecting Pyzchiva at this time.

However, there is an important distinction between a formal drug shortage and access challenges. Many patients have difficulty getting Pyzchiva not because it is unavailable in the US, but because of how specialty biologics are distributed and covered by insurance.

Why Patients May Struggle to Access Pyzchiva Even Without a Shortage

Even when there is no drug shortage, getting a specialty biologic like Pyzchiva can be complicated for several reasons:

• Specialty pharmacy routing: Pyzchiva is not stocked at most retail pharmacy locations. It flows through specialty pharmacy networks, which can mean delays and confusion about where to pick it up or have it delivered.
• Insurance prior authorization: Almost all insurance plans require prior authorization before covering a specialty biologic. PA approvals can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
• Formulary competition: Pyzchiva competes with six other FDA-approved ustekinumab biosimilars. Many insurance plans have signed exclusive deals with one biosimilar, so patients on certain plans may find that their plan prefers Wezlana, Selarsdi, or another competitor over Pyzchiva.
• Step therapy requirements: Some plans require patients to try and fail a preferred biologic before switching to Pyzchiva.

Background: The Stelara Biosimilar Market in 2025-2026

Stelara (ustekinumab) generated $10.4 billion in global sales in 2024, making it one of the most commercially valuable drugs in the world. The launch of biosimilars was delayed by patent litigation brought by Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Biotech, which pushed biosimilar launches to early 2025 rather than the originally anticipated 2023 timeframe.

Amgen's Wezlana launched first, in January 2025 with exclusive access through Optum/UnitedHealth. Then in February 2025, Pyzchiva (Samsung Bioepis/Sandoz), Yesintek (Biocon Biologics), and Selarsdi (Alvotech/Teva) all launched. Additional ustekinumab biosimilars are entering the market throughout 2025 and 2026.

This highly competitive market means that access to any specific biosimilar depends heavily on which PBM or insurance plan manages your benefits. Sandoz has been working to secure payer contracts for Pyzchiva, but the landscape continues to evolve.

What Patients Should Do Right Now

If you are having trouble accessing Pyzchiva, here are the most important steps to take:

1. Call your prescriber's office. Let them know you cannot get your medication. They can often troubleshoot specialty pharmacy routing and prior authorization issues quickly.
2. Contact Sandoz patient support. Call 1-855-726-3698 for help navigating insurance, specialty pharmacy access, and co-pay assistance.
3. Use medfinder. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your Pyzchiva prescription and texts you the results — so you are not wasting time calling around.
4. Ask about other ustekinumab biosimilars. If Pyzchiva is not covered by your plan, your prescriber can write a prescription for whichever ustekinumab biosimilar is most accessible through your insurance. All are clinically equivalent.

How to Stay Informed

For the official FDA shortage database, visit accessdata.fda.gov and search for ustekinumab or Pyzchiva. For practical tools to find Pyzchiva near you, read our guide: How to Find Pyzchiva in Stock Near You.