Your Pharmacy Is Out of Stock. Here's How to Find Your Medication.
Drug shortages are at record highs. When your pharmacy is out, Script Unlock searches 62,000+ verified pharmacies near you — or connects you with compounding pharmacies that can prepare an alternative.
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Different pharmacies have different supply chains. What's out at one may be in stock at another near you.
Search Pharmacies Near You — FreeWhat to Do When Your Medication Is in Shortage
Search multiple pharmacies near you
Script Unlock shows verified prices and availability from pharmacies near you simultaneously. Different pharmacies have different supply chains — what's out at one may be in stock at another.
Search nowAsk about compounding alternatives
If a commercial drug is in shortage, a licensed compounding pharmacy may be able to prepare the same active ingredient in the required dose and formulation. This requires a doctor's prescription specifying the compound.
Find compounding pharmaciesAsk your doctor for a therapeutic alternative
A different medication in the same drug class may be available. Your doctor can evaluate whether switching is medically appropriate for your situation.
Check if a different dose or formulation is available
Sometimes a shortage affects one strength but not another, or tablets but not capsules. Ask your pharmacist if a different formulation of the same drug is available that your doctor could adjust the dose for.
Common Drug Shortages and Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my pharmacy is out of my medication?
First, ask your pharmacist if another location or supplier has stock. Second, use Script Unlock to check if other pharmacies near you have it available. Third, ask your doctor if a compounded alternative or therapeutic substitute is appropriate. Don't skip doses without medical guidance.
Can a compounding pharmacy make my medication if it's in shortage?
Sometimes. When the FDA places a drug on the shortage list, licensed compounding pharmacies may be legally permitted to compound that medication. This depends on whether there is a shortage designation for your specific drug. Ask your doctor to contact a compounding pharmacy to evaluate options.
How do I know if my drug is on the FDA shortage list?
The FDA maintains a real-time drug shortage database at accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/drugshortages/. You can search by drug name to see current shortage status, available alternatives, and resolution estimates.
Will insurance cover a compounded alternative during a shortage?
Usually not — compounded medications are almost never covered by insurance. However, compounded alternatives are often significantly cheaper than the brand-name drug they replace. Script Unlock connects you with compounding pharmacies where you can compare prices.
Find Your Medication at a Pharmacy That Has It
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