A widely used corticosteroid treatment, Kenacort Retard® 40mg/1ml, faces potential shortages in France as early as May 2026, according to its manufacturer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. The pharmaceutical company alerted healthcare professionals on February 17, 2026, citing a “production delay” as the cause of the supply issues.
The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) confirmed the impending tensions and Bristol-Myers Squibb has implemented a quantitative rationing system, limiting the amount of the drug distributed to pharmacies. This measure, initiated in February, aims to prevent a complete stockout and ensure a more equitable distribution of available doses across the country, the company stated.
If production does not resume as scheduled, a complete stockout is anticipated in pharmacies by May 2026, and in hospitals by late May. Kenacort Retard® is a potent anti-inflammatory medication used to treat severe allergic rhinitis, certain dermatological conditions, and inflammatory rheumatic diseases, including arthritis and osteoarthritis flare-ups. Its “Retard” designation indicates a prolonged-release formulation, providing sustained therapeutic effects over several weeks following a single injection.
Bristol-Myers Squibb has identified several alternative injectable corticosteroids, including betamethasone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone, as potential substitutes. These alternatives belong to the same class of steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and offer comparable efficacy in reducing inflammation and modulating immune responses. However, the company cautioned that these alternatives may differ in their pharmacological profiles, including potency and duration of action.
Due to the extended release properties of Kenacort Retard®, its effects can last for several weeks, a characteristic not consistently shared by all alternative medications. Switching to an alternative corticosteroid may necessitate adjustments to dosage or frequency of administration. Patients currently receiving Kenacort Retard® are advised to consult with their physicians to discuss potential treatment modifications and avoid abrupt discontinuation of therapy.
The French government, through the Ministries of Health and Environment, is currently undertaking a refonte of the pollen surveillance system, designating Associations agréées de surveillance de la qualité de l’air (AASQA) – represented nationally by the Fédération Atmo France – to oversee pollen monitoring starting in 2026. This initiative aims to provide more accurate and timely information to allergy sufferers, healthcare professionals, and patient associations, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health on December 2, 2025.
As of February 23, 2026, the situation remains fluid, with Bristol-Myers Squibb stating, “We are not able to communicate a normal date for resuming availability” of Kenacort Retard®.
