Struggling to find Yervoy (Ipilimumab)? Learn why this cancer immunotherapy can be hard to access and what steps you can take to get your treatment in 2026.
Being told you need a cancer treatment — and then being told it's hard to get — is incredibly stressful. If you or a loved one has been prescribed Yervoy (Ipilimumab) and you're running into delays, access issues, or confusion about where to get it, this guide is for you.
Yervoy is an important immunotherapy drug used to treat several types of cancer. But because of how it's made, distributed, and administered, finding it isn't always straightforward. Let's break down why — and what you can do about it.
Yervoy is the brand name for Ipilimumab, a type of immunotherapy made by Bristol Myers Squibb. It belongs to a class of drugs called CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibitors. In simple terms, Yervoy helps your immune system recognize and fight cancer cells by removing a "brake" that normally holds your immune response back.
Yervoy is FDA-approved for multiple cancers, including:
It's often used in combination with Nivolumab (Opdivo), another checkpoint inhibitor. To learn more about how Yervoy works, check out our mechanism of action guide.
There are several reasons patients have trouble accessing Yervoy in 2026. Here are the most common ones:
Unlike medications you pick up at your local pharmacy, Yervoy is a biologic drug that must be administered by IV infusion in a hospital or infusion center. This means you can't just call around to drugstores — you need access to a healthcare facility that stocks it or can order it through a specialty distributor.
Biologic drugs like Yervoy have complex manufacturing processes. They're made from living cells, which makes production slower and more expensive than traditional pills or tablets.
Yervoy is distributed through specialty pharmacy networks and hospital supply chains, not through standard retail pharmacies. This means fewer locations carry it, and your treatment depends on whether your oncology clinic or infusion center has access to the right supply channels.
If your doctor's office doesn't have a direct agreement with a specialty distributor, it may take extra time to source the medication.
The cost of Yervoy is significant — a single 200 mg vial can cost around $35,000, and a full course of treatment for melanoma (4 doses) can exceed $120,000. Because of this high price tag, insurance companies often require prior authorization before approving treatment.
Prior authorization can take days or even weeks. Some insurers may also require step therapy, meaning you must try other treatments first before Yervoy is approved. These administrative hurdles can make it feel like the drug is "hard to find" when really it's hard to get approved.
For tips on managing these costs, read our guide on how to save money on Yervoy.
As of early 2026, there is no approved biosimilar for Yervoy in the United States. While the core patent expired in March 2025, biosimilar development for complex biologic drugs takes time. Companies like Sandoz are working on biosimilar versions, but none have received FDA approval yet.
Without a biosimilar on the market, Bristol Myers Squibb remains the sole manufacturer, which limits supply options and keeps prices high.
If you're having trouble accessing Yervoy, there are several steps you can take:
Your oncologist's office typically handles ordering and scheduling infusions. If there's a delay, ask your care team directly — they may be able to source the drug from a different distributor or schedule your infusion at a hospital that has stock.
Tools like Medfinder can help you search for Yervoy availability at infusion centers and specialty pharmacies near you. For more tips, see our guide on how to find Yervoy in stock near you.
Bristol Myers Squibb offers a support program called BMS Access Support (1-800-861-0048) that helps patients navigate insurance approvals and find access to Yervoy. They can also connect you with co-pay assistance or the Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation if you're uninsured.
If Yervoy is truly unavailable or not approved by your insurer, your oncologist may be able to recommend an alternative immunotherapy. Options include Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Nivolumab (Opdivo) as monotherapy, or Tremelimumab (Imjudo). Read more in our alternatives to Yervoy guide.
Finding Yervoy can be challenging because it's a high-cost specialty biologic that requires IV administration, prior authorization, and specialty distribution. But you're not without options. Between working closely with your care team, using tools like Medfinder, and reaching out to manufacturer support programs, there are real steps you can take to get the treatment you need.
If you're dealing with side effects from Yervoy, our guide on Yervoy side effects can help you know what to expect and when to contact your doctor.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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