Why Is Verkazia So Hard to Find? [Explained for 2026]

If you or your child has been prescribed Verkazia (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.1%) and you're struggling to find it at your local pharmacy, you're not alone. Verkazia — the first and only FDA-approved topical immunomodulator for vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) — has experienced significant supply disruptions that left patients and providers scrambling for access.

This article explains exactly why Verkazia has been so hard to find, what happened during the shortage period, and what steps you can take today to locate it.

What Is Verkazia and Who Needs It?

Verkazia is a prescription eye drop used to treat vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), a rare but serious chronic allergic eye condition. VKC causes intense itching, redness, sensitivity to light, thick mucous discharge, and in severe cases can lead to corneal scarring and vision problems.

VKC primarily affects children and young adults. Approved by the FDA in June 2021, Verkazia was groundbreaking — before it existed, there was no FDA-approved steroid-sparing therapy specifically for VKC. Patients either relied on corticosteroids (which carry long-term risks like glaucoma and cataracts) or compounded cyclosporine prepared by specialty pharmacies.

Because Verkazia is the only FDA-approved option in its class for VKC, patients cannot simply switch to a generic or a similar brand. This makes supply disruptions especially impactful.

What Happened? The Verkazia Shortage Explained

Verkazia was originally developed by Santen Inc. In 2024, Harrow Eye, LLC acquired the U.S. rights to Verkazia and took over as its commercial distributor. During this transition — and particularly in late 2025 — Harrow reported inventory shortages that carried over into early 2026.

According to Harrow's Q1 2026 earnings review, the inventory challenges did not reflect "the true state of our business" and the company expects strong sequential growth throughout 2026. In June 2026, Harrow officially relaunched Verkazia to the U.S. commercial market with renewed distribution and supply commitments, calling it one of three "priority" products in their ophthalmology portfolio.

Why Is Verkazia So Difficult to Stock?

Several factors make Verkazia harder to keep in stock compared to more common medications:

It treats a rare disease. VKC affects an estimated 1.24 per 10,000 children in the U.S. Because the patient population is small, many pharmacies do not stock Verkazia routinely — they order it on demand or not at all.

No generic exists. As of 2026, the FDA has not approved a generic version of Verkazia. This means patients have only one sourcing option — the brand-name product.

Manufacturer transitions create gaps. The handoff from Santen to Harrow involved supply chain reorganization, distribution contracts, and logistical changes — all of which can temporarily reduce availability at the pharmacy level.

Specialty product storage requirements. Verkazia's single-dose vials must be stored in foil pouches at room temperature and protected from light — making it a specialty item that requires careful inventory management.

Is Verkazia Back in Stock in 2026?

Yes — Harrow's June 2026 commercial relaunch of Verkazia signals a return to broader availability. However, availability can still vary significantly by pharmacy. Large retail chains like CVS and Walgreens may or may not carry it in stock at any given location, and smaller independent pharmacies often won't stock it without a special order.

In short: Verkazia is available again, but finding a pharmacy that has it in stock on the shelf — without calling around — remains a challenge for many patients.

Why Can't My Pharmacy Just Order It for Me?

Some pharmacies can and do special-order Verkazia if they don't carry it in stock. However, this process can take several days, and some pharmacies may not have an active account with the distributor. This is especially frustrating for patients experiencing a VKC flare who need treatment quickly.

Specialty pharmacies — which handle high-cost, low-volume drugs — are often better equipped to source Verkazia reliably. Your prescribing ophthalmologist or allergist may be able to refer you to a specialty pharmacy that has established supply.

What Should You Do If You Can't Find Verkazia?

If you're having trouble locating Verkazia at pharmacies near you, here are actionable steps:

Call multiple pharmacies. Stock varies by location. Don't assume your usual pharmacy's status reflects all pharmacies in your area.

Ask your prescriber to try a specialty pharmacy. Specialty pharmacies like Walgreens Specialty, CVS Specialty, or local compounding pharmacies often have better access to niche ophthalmic medications.

Contact Harrow's patient support line. Harrow can often help connect patients with pharmacies that have current inventory.

Use medfinder. medfinder calls pharmacies near you to check which ones can fill your Verkazia prescription — saving you hours of phone calls. Visit

medfinder.com to get started.

Are There Alternatives to Verkazia?

Because Verkazia is the only FDA-approved product specifically for VKC in its class, alternatives are limited. Your doctor may consider:

Lodoxamide (Alomide) — FDA-approved mast cell stabilizer for VKC, available as a generic

Loteprednol (Lotemax) — a corticosteroid for short-term VKC flares (not for long-term use)

Compounded tacrolimus or cyclosporine eye drops — off-label, prepared by compounding pharmacies

For a full breakdown of Verkazia alternatives, see our guide: Alternatives to Verkazia If You Can't Fill Your Prescription

The Bottom Line

Verkazia's availability challenges stem from its status as a rare-disease drug, a manufacturer transition, and localized supply disruptions in 2025–2026. While the relaunch by Harrow signals improvement, availability can vary widely by pharmacy. Using a service like medfinder to locate pharmacies that have Verkazia in stock can save you significant time and frustration.