Somatropin Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

If you've been following the somatropin shortage, you know it has been a moving target since it began in late 2022. Brand after brand has faced supply disruptions, some have exited the market entirely, and patients across the country have been left scrambling to keep their growth hormone therapy uninterrupted. Here is a comprehensive, current update on where things stand in 2026.

When Did the Somatropin Shortage Begin?

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) formally designated somatropin injection as a drug shortage in November 2022. From that point, the shortage expanded to affect nearly every major brand. The causes were a combination of unexpectedly high patient demand and manufacturing difficulties at key facilities.

What Has Changed Since 2022?

The biggest change has been permanent market exits. Two major brands have been removed from the market:

Humatrope (Eli Lilly) — Discontinued entirely. Humatrope had been in shortage due to manufacturing delays at Lilly's contract manufacturer. It is no longer commercially available.

Nutropin AQ NuSpin (Genentech) — Discontinued in December 2024.

Additionally, Novo Nordisk discontinued the Norditropin FlexPro 30 mg/3 mL pen size in late 2025, reducing options for higher-dose patients on that brand.

Current Brand-by-Brand Status in 2026

Norditropin FlexPro (Novo Nordisk): Available in 5 mg/1.5 mL, 10 mg/1.5 mL, and 15 mg/1.5 mL. This is the most consistently stocked daily somatropin brand in 2026. The 30 mg/3 mL size was discontinued in late 2025.

Genotropin (Pfizer): Available but has experienced intermittent supply constraints. Pfizer scaled production significantly in 2023 (to 3.5x 2022 levels) and has stated continued commitment to the drug.

Omnitrope (Sandoz/Novartis): Generally available. Omnitrope is one of the more affordable options; patient co-pay assistance programs are available.

Zomacton, Saizen: Limited specialty pharmacy distribution; availability varies by region.

Serostim (EMD Serono): Specific to HIV-associated wasting; generally available through specialty pharmacy networks.

Humatrope: Discontinued — no longer commercially available.

Nutropin AQ NuSpin: Discontinued December 2024.

Why Has the Shortage Lasted So Long?

Several structural factors have made this shortage unusually persistent:

Manufacturing complexity: Somatropin is a biologic made through recombinant DNA technology. Production is slow, highly regulated, and difficult to scale quickly.

Surging demand: Demand for growth hormone has grown substantially, driven by increased diagnosis rates, expanded indications, and use in adult GHD.

Market exits: Each brand discontinuation pushes more patients to the remaining manufacturers, further straining supply.

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Once-Weekly Products: A Silver Lining

The emergence of FDA-approved once-weekly growth hormone products has provided a meaningful alternative for many patients. Sogroya (somapacitan), Skytrofa (lonapegsomatropin), and Ngenla (somatrogon) are generally available and may reduce demand pressure on daily somatropin products over time. They may also offer convenience advantages with once-weekly dosing.

What Should Patients Do in 2026?

Don't stop your medication without talking to your doctor. Even brief interruptions to growth hormone therapy can affect outcomes, especially in growing children.

Contact your endocrinologist early. Ask about alternative brands and whether a once-weekly product might be right for you.

Start searching early. Begin looking for your next fill 2–3 weeks before you run out, not when you're on your last injection.

Use tools that save you time.

medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can currently fill your somatropin prescription — saving you hours of phone calls. Also read: how to find somatropin in stock and somatropin alternatives if you can't fill your prescription.