Bevacizumab (Avastin) can be hard to find due to shortages and high demand. Learn why supply is limited in 2026 and what you can do about it.
You've been prescribed Bevacizumab — one of the most important cancer-fighting drugs available — and now you're being told it's out of stock. It's frustrating, and frankly, it's scary. When your treatment depends on getting an infusion on schedule, hearing "we can't get it right now" is the last thing you need.
The good news is that there are real reasons behind the shortage, and there are real steps you can take. Let's break it all down.
Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that fights cancer by blocking a protein called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). Tumors rely on VEGF to grow new blood vessels that feed them nutrients and oxygen. By blocking VEGF, Bevacizumab essentially starves tumors of their blood supply, slowing or stopping their growth.
The original brand name is Avastin, made by Genentech (a Roche company). It was first approved by the FDA in 2004 for metastatic colorectal cancer and has since been approved for several other cancers, including:
Bevacizumab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion in a hospital or infusion center, typically every 2 to 3 weeks. It is not a pill you can pick up at a retail pharmacy — it must be administered by healthcare professionals.
There are several reasons why Bevacizumab supply can be unreliable. Here are the main factors:
Bevacizumab is a biologic medication — not a simple chemical compound. It's produced using living cells in highly specialized manufacturing facilities. This process takes months, and even small disruptions (equipment failure, contamination, regulatory inspection findings) can shut down production lines for extended periods.
Unlike a generic pill, you can't just spin up a new factory overnight. Biologic manufacturing requires FDA-approved facilities with strict quality controls.
Bevacizumab is one of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs in the world. It's used across at least seven different cancer types, and demand has increased as newer combination therapies (like Bevacizumab plus Atezolizumab for liver cancer) gain traction.
Additionally, Bevacizumab is widely used off-label in ophthalmology for conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema. This off-label use creates significant additional demand for the drug.
There are now multiple biosimilar versions of Bevacizumab available, including Mvasi (Amgen), Zirabev (Pfizer), Alymsys (Amneal), Vegzelma (Celltrion), Avzivi (Samsung Bioepis), and Jobevne (Sandoz). While this is great for bringing costs down, the biosimilar market is still maturing. Individual manufacturers have experienced production issues, and not all biosimilars are available at all facilities.
Hospitals and infusion centers may have contracts with specific biosimilar manufacturers, so when that particular supplier has a shortage, it can create a bottleneck even if other versions are available on the market.
Bevacizumab is a "buy-and-bill" drug — meaning hospitals and oncology practices purchase it directly and then bill insurance for reimbursement. This creates a complex distribution chain where group purchasing organizations (GPOs), specialty distributors, and institutional contracts all play a role. If a hospital's contracted supplier runs short, it can take time to source an alternative, even if supply exists elsewhere in the system.
If your oncologist's office or infusion center is having trouble sourcing Bevacizumab, here are actionable steps:
If one version is out of stock, another may be available. Mvasi, Zirabev, Alymsys, Vegzelma, Avzivi, and Jobevne are all FDA-approved biosimilars with the same efficacy and safety as brand-name Avastin. Your provider can often switch between them.
Shortages are often localized. A different hospital, cancer center, or independent infusion center in your area may have Bevacizumab in stock. Use tools like Medfinder to check availability near you.
In some cases, a short delay in treatment (a few days) may be clinically acceptable while your team sources the drug. Your oncologist can determine whether a brief pause poses any risk to your treatment plan.
Depending on your specific cancer type, your oncologist may be able to discuss alternative anti-VEGF medications such as Ramucirumab (Cyramza) or Ziv-Aflibercept (Zaltrap) that target similar pathways.
Genentech offers Avastin Access Solutions, which can help locate supply or connect you with patient assistance programs. Call (855) MY-COPAY or visit their website for support.
Bevacizumab shortages are frustrating, but they're not hopeless. With multiple biosimilars on the market and improving supply chains, availability is generally better than it was in 2023 and 2024. The key is being proactive — talk to your care team early, explore all available options, and use tools like Medfinder to stay informed about where Bevacizumab is in stock.
Your cancer treatment shouldn't depend on luck. Stay informed, advocate for yourself, and don't hesitate to ask your medical team for help navigating supply issues.
Want to learn more about Bevacizumab? Read our guide on what Bevacizumab is, how it works, and what to expect.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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