Tyenne Shortage Update: What Patients Need to Know in 2026

When a medication is hard to access, patients often wonder: is there a shortage? For Tyenne (tocilizumab-aazg), the answer in 2026 is nuanced. There is no active FDA drug shortage of Tyenne — but that doesn't mean every patient can easily get their prescription filled.

Here's what patients need to know about Tyenne availability in 2026, the history of tocilizumab shortages, and what to do if you're having trouble getting your prescription.

Is There a Tyenne Shortage in 2026?

As of 2026, Tyenne (tocilizumab-aazg) is NOT on the FDA Drug Shortage list. Fresenius Kabi launched the IV formulation in April 2024 and the SC formulation in July 2024. The drug has been commercially available through specialty pharmacy channels since that time.

If you're having trouble accessing Tyenne, the challenge is most likely related to insurance prior authorization, specialty pharmacy routing, or formulary placement — not a manufacturing shortage.

Background: The Actemra Shortage That Preceded Tyenne

To understand why patients are concerned about Tyenne availability, it helps to look at the history of its reference drug. Actemra (tocilizumab), made by Genentech/Roche, experienced a significant shortage starting in late 2021 when it was granted Emergency Use Authorization for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Demand for Actemra spiked dramatically, leaving patients with rheumatoid arthritis, GCA, and other chronic conditions struggling to fill their prescriptions for months.

That shortage stretched into 2022 and led many rheumatologists to search for alternatives. The FDA ultimately resolved the Actemra shortage, but the experience left many patients and providers understandably anxious about tocilizumab supply. Tyenne was approved in part to diversify the supply of tocilizumab in the U.S. market.

Why Tyenne Access Can Still Be Difficult

Even without a formal shortage, Tyenne patients may face access barriers including:

Prior authorization (PA): Most insurance plans require PA before covering Tyenne, adding 2–4 weeks to the start of treatment.

Step therapy: Many plans require patients to fail a TNF inhibitor before approving an IL-6 blocker like Tyenne.

Specialty pharmacy routing: Prescriptions must go through specialty pharmacies, not standard retail chains.

Formulary transitions: As insurance plans shift their preferred tocilizumab products (some now prefer Tyenne over Actemra), patients may experience temporary coverage gaps during formulary transitions.

How Insurance Plans Are Treating Tyenne in 2026

A notable trend in 2025–2026 is that many major insurance plans have made Tyenne their preferred tocilizumab product, meaning it is covered at a lower tier than Actemra. For example:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan named Tyenne the preferred tocilizumab biosimilar effective June 1, 2025

Moda Health lists Tyenne as the preferred tocilizumab product over all other biosimilars and Actemra

This preferred status means Tyenne may actually be easier and less expensive to access than Actemra for many patients in 2026 — a complete reversal from the early biosimilar landscape.

What Patients Should Do If They Can't Access Tyenne

If you're struggling to fill your Tyenne prescription, take these steps:

Check the FDA drug shortage database at fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability to confirm no active shortage.

Call KabiCare at 1-833-522-4227 — they can help navigate insurance and pharmacy access.

Have your doctor's office check on the PA status and resubmit if necessary.

Use medfinder to find a specialty pharmacy near you that has Tyenne available.

Ask your rheumatologist about a bridge medication if your condition is flaring while you wait.

medfinder Helps You Find Tyenne Without the Wait

Rather than spending hours calling specialty pharmacies to check stock, medfinder does the calling for you. Enter your medication, dose, and location, and medfinder contacts pharmacies in your area to find which ones can fill your prescription — then texts you the results.

If access remains blocked, read our article on alternatives to Tyenne if you can't fill your prescription for options to discuss with your doctor.