Wondering why Kesimpta is so hard to find? Learn the top reasons this MS medication can be difficult to locate and what you can do to get your prescription filled.
If you or someone you love has been prescribed Kesimpta (Ofatumumab) for multiple sclerosis, you may have already discovered that getting your hands on it isn't always straightforward. Unlike picking up a common pill at your local pharmacy, Kesimpta requires a different path — and that path can feel frustrating when you're just trying to stay on your treatment plan.
In this guide, we'll break down exactly why Kesimpta can be so hard to find, what's behind the access challenges, and — most importantly — what you can do about it.
Kesimpta is a prescription biologic medication made by Novartis. Its generic name is Ofatumumab. It's a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets CD20, a protein on the surface of certain immune cells called B lymphocytes. By depleting these B cells, Kesimpta helps reduce the autoimmune attacks that damage the nervous system in multiple sclerosis.
Kesimpta is FDA-approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS) in adults, including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and active secondary progressive MS. It's self-administered as a once-monthly subcutaneous injection using a prefilled Sensoready pen or syringe, after an initial loading phase.
In clinical trials, Kesimpta reduced annual relapse rates by 51% to 58% compared to Aubagio (Teriflunomide) and slowed disability progression by 32% to 34%.
There are several reasons you might be having trouble finding or accessing Kesimpta. Let's walk through the most common ones.
Kesimpta is a biologic medication, which means it's not typically stocked at your local retail pharmacy like CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid. Instead, it's distributed through specialty pharmacies — pharmacies that specialize in handling complex, high-cost medications that require special storage and handling.
This is actually by design. Biologics like Kesimpta need to be refrigerated (36°F to 46°F) and carefully managed throughout the supply chain. Specialty pharmacies have the infrastructure to do this, but it also means you can't just walk in and pick it up the same day.
Even with a valid prescription, your insurance company may require prior authorization before they'll cover Kesimpta. This is a process where your doctor must submit clinical documentation proving that you need this specific medication.
Many insurers also require step therapy, which means they want you to try (and fail on) a less expensive MS therapy — like Aubagio or a generic disease-modifying therapy — before they'll approve a biologic like Kesimpta. These insurance hurdles can add days or even weeks to the process.
Kesimpta carries a list price of approximately $6,800 to $7,500 per monthly dose, which works out to roughly $82,000 to $90,000 per year. Even with insurance, the out-of-pocket costs can be significant without copay assistance. This high price point means pharmacies are cautious about stocking it without confirmed coverage, and patients may face delays while financial assistance is arranged.
Many patients — and even some healthcare providers — don't realize that Kesimpta is dispensed through a specific specialty pharmacy network rather than a standard retail pharmacy. If you're calling around to local pharmacies asking if they have Kesimpta in stock, the answer will almost always be no. That's not a shortage; it's simply the way specialty biologics are distributed.
The good news is that there are clear steps you can take to access Kesimpta more quickly and reliably.
Use Medfinder to check which specialty pharmacies near you carry Kesimpta and can fill your prescription. It's a free tool that helps you locate medications that are hard to find through traditional channels.
Your neurologist's office likely has experience navigating the specialty pharmacy process. Many MS clinics have dedicated staff or patient coordinators who can help with prior authorization paperwork, connect you with the right specialty pharmacy, and enroll you in savings programs.
Novartis offers the Kesimpta Access Card, which provides up to $18,000 per year in copay assistance for commercially insured patients. According to Novartis, 97% of prescriptions filled with the Access Card have $0 out-of-pocket cost. You can learn more at start.kesimpta.com.
If you're uninsured or underinsured, the Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation (NPAF) may provide Kesimpta at no cost to eligible patients. Call 1-800-277-2254 for more information.
If access to Kesimpta proves difficult, talk to your neurologist about alternative MS treatments. Options like Ocrevus (Ocrelizumab), Tysabri (Natalizumab), Aubagio (Teriflunomide), or Mavenclad (Cladribine) may be appropriate depending on your specific situation.
Kesimpta is a highly effective treatment for relapsing forms of MS, but its status as a specialty biologic means the path to getting it can feel more complicated than a typical prescription. The challenges are real — specialty pharmacy distribution, insurance hurdles, and high costs — but they're also navigable.
If you're having trouble finding Kesimpta, start by using the right tools and leaning on your healthcare team. And if cost is a barrier, don't hesitate to explore savings programs and patient assistance — they exist specifically for situations like yours.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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