Shortage Tracker · Updated April 28, 2026

GLP-1 Shortage Status in 2026: What Changed and What You Can Do

Both major GLP-1 shortages have ended. Tirzepatide resolved October 2024, semaglutide resolved February 2025. Compounded GLP-1 access narrowed but did not close. Here's what that actually means for you in 2026.

1. Current FDA shortage status (April 2026)

2. What "shortage resolved" actually means

The FDA declares a shortage resolved when the manufacturer reports adequate supply across all dose strengths nationally. It does not mean every pharmacy has every dose in stock every day. Local supply variability is normal and expected.

What it does mean legally:

• Pharmacies cannot compound under FDA Section 506A "drug shortage" rules
• 503B outsourcing facilities cannot produce "essentially copies" of the brand drug
• 503A pharmacies can still compound under personalized-prescription rules for individual patients

3. Timeline of the GLP-1 shortage and resolution

• 2022 to 2024: Both semaglutide and tirzepatide on FDA shortage list. Compounded versions filled the gap. Telehealth GLP-1 platforms scaled rapidly.
• October 2, 2024: FDA declared tirzepatide shortage resolved.
• October 2024 to March 2025: Court case (Outsourcing Facilities Association v. FDA) extended the wind-down period for tirzepatide compounding.
• February 21, 2025: FDA declared semaglutide injection shortage resolved.
• March 2025: Final wind-down of bulk compounded tirzepatide. 503B facilities ceased production of essentially copies.
• April 2025 to present: Personalized-prescription compounding continues at lower volume. Some 503A pharmacies still serve individual prescriptions.

4. What your options are if you can't get your usual GLP-1

If your local pharmacy is out of stock

1. Call 5 to 10 pharmacies in your area to find a different in-stock supply
2. Use mail-order through your insurance plan (if covered)
3. Try a different dose strength your prescriber can adjust to
4. Use Lilly Direct (tirzepatide) or NovoCare (semaglutide) for direct manufacturer purchase

If you were on compounded GLP-1 and your provider closed

Several telehealth platforms wound down their compounded GLP-1 programs in early 2025. If yours did:

1. Look for providers still operating under personalized-prescription doctrines (most are listed in our pricing index)
2. Switch to brand via Lilly Direct ($349 to $699/mo) or NovoCare ($499/mo)
3. Switch molecule (compounded semaglutide if you were on tirzepatide, or vice versa)
4. Investigate insurance coverage for the brand version

If you've never been on a GLP-1 and want to start in 2026

Easier than 2022 to 2024 in many ways. Brand drugs are available. Manufacturer cash-pay programs (Lilly Direct, NovoCare) didn't exist before. Compounded versions are still available where personalized prescriptions apply.

Read our guide to the cheapest GLP-1 online for the current options.

5. Is the shortage really resolved?

The FDA database says yes. Patient experience varies. Anecdotal reports on Reddit and patient forums in early 2026 still mention local stock issues, but the systemic shortage that defined 2022 to 2024 is over.

Manufacturer capacity has caught up:

• Eli Lilly added new manufacturing capacity in 2024 and 2025 (RTP and Concord facilities)
• Novo Nordisk acquired Catalent fill-finish capacity (closed late 2024) to expand semaglutide production
• Both manufacturers report ample supply for 2026 demand

6. What to watch in 2026 and beyond

• Generic semaglutide: patent protection on semaglutide expires in some countries before others. US patent extends past 2030, but generic entry could happen via patent challenges.
• Oral GLP-1s: Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) is approved. Orforglipron (Lilly) and others are in late-stage trials.
• New molecules: tirzepatide-class triple agonists (retatrutide, amycretin) are in trials and expected to launch by 2027.

FAQ

Is Mounjaro still in shortage in 2026?

No. The FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage resolved in October 2024. All Mounjaro and Zepbound dose strengths are listed as available on the FDA Drug Shortages database. Some patients still report local pharmacy supply issues, but the drug is no longer formally on the shortage list.

Is Wegovy still in shortage in 2026?

No. The FDA declared the semaglutide injection shortage resolved in February 2025. Wegovy and Ozempic are listed as available. Local pharmacy stock can vary, but the drugs are no longer on the FDA shortage list.

Can I still get compounded GLP-1 after the shortage ended?

Yes, with caveats. Compounding under FDA Section 506A "drug shortage exception" ended when the shortage resolved. Compounding under standard 503A personalized-prescription rules continues. Many providers offering compounded GLP-1 in 2026 are doing so under personalized-prescription doctrines, which require a valid prescription for an individual patient (no bulk).

What happened to compounded tirzepatide in 2025?

After the FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage resolved (October 2024), 503A pharmacies were given a court-ordered grace period (Outsourcing Facilities Association v. FDA) which extended through about March 2025. After that, large-scale compounded tirzepatide manufacturing wound down. Personalized-prescription compounding continues at lower volume.

How can I check current FDA shortage status myself?

Search "FDA Drug Shortages" and check the database (accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/). Search by active ingredient (semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide). Status updates publicly. Manufacturer-reported shortages list is separate from FDA-declared shortages.

Sources

• FDA Drug Shortages database, tirzepatide and semaglutide injection status (accessed April 2026)
• Outsourcing Facilities Association v. FDA, court filings 2024 to 2025
• Eli Lilly investor materials, manufacturing capacity updates (2024 to 2025)
• Novo Nordisk Catalent acquisition announcement (2024)

Related

• My compounding pharmacy closed: what to do
• Is compounded semaglutide legal in 2026?
• Full GLP-1 pricing index
• Mounjaro cost in 2026
• Zepbound cost in 2026