Yusimry Shortage: What Providers and Prescribers Need to Know in 2026

If your patients are having difficulty filling their Yusimry (adalimumab-aqvh) prescriptions, you're encountering a real and frustrating market phenomenon. Yusimry is not listed on the FDA drug shortage database — supply from the manufacturer is intact — but the practical landscape for patients trying to access it is genuinely challenging. This article provides a clinical and operational overview for prescribers managing patients on Yusimry or considering prescribing it.

What Is Yusimry and Who Manufactures It?

Yusimry (adalimumab-aqvh) is an FDA-approved biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab) developed by Coherus BioSciences and distributed through Meitheal Pharmaceuticals. It received FDA approval on December 17, 2021 — the seventh adalimumab biosimilar approved — and launched commercially in July 2023 at a list price of $995 per carton of two 40 mg/0.8 mL autoinjectors.

Yusimry is approved for the full range of adalimumab indications, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, plaque psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, and uveitis. It is supplied as a citrate-free, latex-free 40 mg/0.8 mL subcutaneous injection (both prefilled syringe and autoinjector pen).

Important clinical note: Yusimry is NOT designated as an interchangeable biosimilar. This means pharmacists cannot substitute it for Humira at the counter without prescriber authorization, unlike interchangeable biosimilars such as Cyltezo, Amjevita, Hadlima, Hyrimoz, Hulio, Simlandi, and Yuflyma.

The Market Access Problem: PBM Dynamics Explained

Understanding why Yusimry is hard for patients to access requires understanding the current PBM landscape:

CVS Caremark prefers its Cordavis private-label version of Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz) and an unbranded version of Humira, while excluding branded Humira.

Express Scripts prefers Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm) and Simlandi via Quallent Pharmaceuticals.

OptumRx prefers Amjevita via its Nuvaila division.

Yusimry has no private-label arrangement with any of these three PBMs. As a result, it had only about 3% of the adalimumab biosimilar market in 2024 data. Pharmacies stock what their biggest payer contracts require. When your patients try to fill a Yusimry prescription at a retail pharmacy, the drug may simply not be on the shelf.

Prescribing Implications: What to Consider Before Writing for Yusimry

Before prescribing Yusimry, consider the following to minimize patient access friction:

Check the patient's formulary first. Ask the patient which PBM manages their pharmacy benefit. If they're on CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, or OptumRx, a different biosimilar will likely be preferred. Prescribing the formulary-preferred product significantly reduces prior authorization burden and fills the prescription faster.

Consider writing "adalimumab biosimilar — dispense as formulary allows." When clinically appropriate, this language allows the pharmacy to dispense the formulary-preferred adalimumab biosimilar and avoids prior auth delays.

Know your region's specialty pharmacy landscape. All adalimumab biosimilars, including Yusimry, are specialty medications. Most plans require in-network specialty pharmacy dispensing. Identify which specialty pharmacies your top payer networks use (e.g., Accredo for Express Scripts, CVS Specialty for Caremark, Optum Specialty for OptumRx).

If prescribing Yusimry specifically: Direct patients to Cost Plus Drugs ($569.27 + fees) or assist with prior authorization for the Yusimry Solutions Copay Card ($0 out-of-pocket for commercially insured patients; call 1-800-987-4679).

Biosimilar Switching: The Clinical Evidence

For patients currently stable on Yusimry who face an insurance formulary switch, the clinical evidence supports safe transition to other adalimumab products. The NOR-SWITCH trial and subsequent real-world studies demonstrate that switching from a reference biologic (Humira) to a biosimilar — or between biosimilars — does not increase adverse events, immunogenicity, or loss of efficacy. ACR, AGA, and AAD all have biosimilar guidance supporting clinically appropriate switching when formulary or cost considerations drive the change.

Documenting Medical Necessity for Prior Authorization

If your patient specifically needs Yusimry (e.g., they tolerate it well after a switch and have difficulty with others, or financial considerations make it the most practical option via Cost Plus Drugs), document the following in the prior authorization:

Diagnosis and disease severity (DAS28, CDAI, PASI, or other relevant scoring)

Prior treatment history, including failures or intolerances to formulary-preferred alternatives

Financial hardship or cost-based medical necessity (particularly relevant when Yusimry + copay card results in lower patient cost burden)

Clinical stability on Yusimry if the patient was previously on it and benefiting

Resources for Your Patients

Yusimry Solutions Copay Card: patient.yusimry.com/cost-of-yusimry or call 1-800-987-4679 (commercially insured patients, $0 out-of-pocket up to $100 per 28-day supply)

Cost Plus Drugs: $569.27 per carton plus dispensing and shipping (no insurance required)

medfinder for Providers (medfinder.com/providers): Help your patients find pharmacies with Yusimry in stock without spending office time on calls

For a step-by-step guide on helping patients find Yusimry, see our provider's guide: How to Help Your Patients Find Yusimry in Stock.