Eli Lily warns of temporary insulin shortages due to manufacturing issues

Eli Lilly has issued a cautionary notice about the limited availability of two of its insulin brands, stating that they will be temporarily out of stock until later this month. 

The affected products are the 10-milliliter vials of Humalog and Insulin Lispro Injection. However, Lilly assured that it is actively producing these products and once they become available they will dispatch them as quickly as possible. 

In a statement, the company said: “We recognize that any supply challenge may cause a disruption in people’s treatment regimens, and we are moving with urgency to address it. 

Anyone experiencing difficulty in getting their prescription filled should contact their healthcare provider to discuss switching to the same insulin in a prefilled pen or other insulin treatment options. Additionally, patients may check other pharmacies in their insurance network for available supply. Patients who need insulin immediately and cannot access their healthcare provider for an alternative treatment option should seek emergency care.

In the meantime, all other Lilly insulin products – including Humalog and Insulin Lispro Injection in prefilled pens (KwikPen) – are currently available in the U.S. We are in ongoing contact with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).”

Insulin has been around for over 100 years, but recently there has been a surge in prices. Companies have been under pressure to reduce prices in the US, as the drug is not expensive to manufacture and many patients need it for regular treatment. 

It has been reported by medical researchers that the cost of insulin has risen by 11% every year between 2001 and 2018, and the total costs were approaching $6,000 a month. 

Eli Lily recently announced that it would cut prices to $35 for patients with medical insurance. According to the company, this is a reduction of 70%. Additionally, the company said that nonbranded insulin would be reduced to $25 from $82.41, making it the cheapest insulin product currently available on the market.