Why Is Skyrizi (Risankizumab) So Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026]

Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) is one of the most effective biologic medications available for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. But despite its effectiveness — and despite not being on the FDA Drug Shortage list — patients across the country continue to face serious difficulty getting their prescriptions filled. If you've been trying to find Skyrizi and hitting walls, you're not alone.

This article explains exactly why Skyrizi is so difficult to access, what the real barriers are, and what steps you can take to get your medication faster.

Is Skyrizi in a Shortage?

No — Skyrizi is not currently on the FDA Drug Shortage list as of 2026. AbbVie, the manufacturer, is producing and distributing all formulations of the drug. The problem isn't supply. The problem is access.

Unlike a traditional shortage where a drug runs out at the factory or distributor level, Skyrizi's access challenges are almost entirely administrative — created by insurance requirements, specialty pharmacy networks, and prior authorization processes that can take weeks to navigate.

Why Can't You Just Pick It Up at Your Regular Pharmacy?

Skyrizi is a specialty biologic medication, which means it is dispensed exclusively through specialty pharmacies — not standard retail chains like CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid. If your doctor sends your prescription to a regular pharmacy, the pharmacist will not be able to fill it.

Specialty pharmacies that handle Skyrizi include networks affiliated with AbbVie's Skyrizi Complete program and independent specialty pharmacies. Your insurer will often designate a preferred specialty pharmacy, which can add another layer of confusion — especially if you've already been working with a different pharmacy.

Prior Authorization: The Biggest Obstacle

The number one reason patients can't get Skyrizi is prior authorization (PA). Virtually every insurance plan — commercial, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid — requires prior authorization before covering Skyrizi. This means your doctor must submit documentation proving that Skyrizi is medically necessary for you specifically.

The PA approval process can take anywhere from 7 to 45 days depending on your insurance plan. During that time, you simply cannot get the drug covered. If your PA is denied — which happens frequently — your doctor must file an appeal, which adds more time.

What Is Step Therapy, and Why Does It Block Skyrizi?

Step therapy (also called "fail first" policies) is a requirement from many insurance plans that patients try less expensive medications before they can access a higher-cost biologic like Skyrizi. For most plans, this means you must document a trial — and failure — of a TNF inhibitor (such as adalimumab or etanercept) before Skyrizi will be covered.

Even if your doctor believes Skyrizi is the right medication for you from the start, your insurer may force you to try another biologic first. This process can delay access to Skyrizi by months — or require a lengthy medical necessity appeal.

The Cost Barrier: $22,000 Per Dose Without Insurance

Skyrizi's list (WAC) price is approximately $22,383 per dose as of early 2025. For patients with plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis receiving quarterly injections, that adds up to more than $90,000 per year without insurance or assistance programs.

There is no generic or biosimilar version of Skyrizi available as of 2026. Biosimilars are expected to enter the market after 2028. Until then, the full cost falls on whoever is paying — which is almost always insurance, a savings program, or a combination of both.

How medfinder Can Help You Find Skyrizi

Once you have your prior authorization approved, you may still face the challenge of finding a specialty pharmacy that can actually fill your Skyrizi prescription. That's where medfinder comes in. medfinder is a paid service that calls specialty pharmacies near you on your behalf to find out which ones can fill your prescription — saving you hours of phone calls and hold times.

You provide your medication, dosage, and location — medfinder does the calling and texts you the results. It's especially useful for specialty biologics like Skyrizi where pharmacy availability varies across networks.

What to Do If Your Skyrizi Prior Authorization Is Denied

Don't give up if your PA is denied. Here are the steps to take:

Ask your doctor to file an appeal. Most PA denials can be appealed with additional documentation of medical necessity.

Enroll in Skyrizi Complete. AbbVie's program can provide Skyrizi at no charge for up to 2 years while your appeal is pending, if you're a commercially insured patient ≤63 years old with a PA denial on file.

Request expedited review. If your doctor can document urgent medical need, you may qualify for an expedited PA review (often 72 hours instead of the standard timeline).

Contact myAbbVie Assist. If you're uninsured, call 1-800-222-6885 to see if you qualify for free medication directly from AbbVie.

Summary: Why Skyrizi Is Hard to Get

To summarize, Skyrizi isn't hard to find because it's in short supply — it's hard to get because of a complex web of insurance requirements, specialty-pharmacy-only distribution, and high list pricing. The good news is that most patients who are persistent — and who take advantage of AbbVie's assistance programs — do eventually get access.

For more help, see our guide on how to find Skyrizi in stock near you.