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Eli Lilly announces new program to lower cost of Lilly insulin

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Eli Lilly announced on Tuesday that people who use Lilly insulin will be able to purchase the discounted prices starting Jan. 1, 2017 through mobile and web platforms hosted by Blink Health.

According to a release from Eli Lilly, the discounts are made possible by Lilly through a partnership with Express Scripts (NASDAQ: ESRX). The partnership may decrease the cost for people who pay full retail prices at the pharmacy, those who have no insurance or are in in the high-deductible part of their insurance plans.

Blink Health platforms may help people who pay full price for most Lilly insulin save 40 percent.

“We understand the burden people face when paying full price for insulin,” said Mike Mason, vice president, Lilly Diabetes. “This platform will effectively allow Lilly to lower our insulin retail prices for users of this platform while not affecting the reimbursement system for other people living with diabetes.”

Enrique Conterno, president of Lilly Diabetes announced Tuesday their actions will hopefully lead others in the health care system to drive additional change to those who use insulin.

“The health care system is incredibly complex, and we hope this program is a first step that will drive more thinking and innovative solutions for people with diabetes,” Conterno said. “A more extensive solution will require leadership and cooperation across many stakeholders, including manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, insurers and patients.  We’re committed to seeking additional solutions so that everyone who uses insulin has reasonable access.”

The program will begin for many health plans on Jan. 1, 2017.

The program includes the following:

  • All presentations of Humalog® (insulin lispro injection 100 units/mL)
  • All Humulin® U100 formulations (Insulin human injection 100 units/mL)
  • BASAGLAR® (insulin glargine injection 100 units/mL)
  • A long-acting follow-on biologic being introduced this month by Lilly
  • Boehringer Ingelheim.

Lilly said those who use the platform will go outside their health plan, which means new retail price may not be applied to annual deductibles. Anyone considering the program should compare benefits to their current prescription  insurance option before deciding which program best fits them.

Lilly posted the following questions and information on their website in a release:

How does it work?

Program participation requires only a few simple steps. People can use a smart phone app or the Blink Health website, www.blinkhealth.com, which has no membership fees or monthly premiums. People will enter the form, dosage and quantity of Lilly insulin that matches their prescription. The discount will be automatically applied. Payments are made online and the prescriptions can be picked up at virtually any U.S. pharmacy, including: Walgreens, CVS/pharmacy, Target, RiteAid, Safeway and Kroger. People whose prescription claims are reimbursed by any government program are not eligible. Purchases are fully refundable.

Lilly will keep the public updated on details of the program through our Twitter handles, @LillyDiabetes and @LillyPad, and other digital channels.

Product Indications

HUMALOG is a rapid-acting human insulin analog indicated to improve glycemic control in adults and children with diabetes mellitus. Humalog Mix50/50™ (50% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 50% insulin lispro injection) and Humalog Mix75/25™ (75% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 25% insulin lispro injection) are products indicated in the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus for the control of hyperglycemia.

BASAGLAR is a long-acting, man-made insulin indicated to control high blood sugar in adults and children with type 1 diabetes and adults with type 2 diabetes.

BASAGLAR should not be used to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION, BASAGLAR AND HUMALOG BOI

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Basaglar [(insulin glargine injection)], Humalog [100 units/mL and 200 units/mL] [(insulin lispro injection)], Humalog Mix50/50 [(50% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 50% insulin lispro injection)] and Humalog Mix75/25 [(75% insulin lispro protamine suspension and 25% insulin lispro injection)] are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients with hypersensitivity to insulin glargine, insulin lispro or any of their excipients.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Never share any insulin KwikPen, cartridge, reusable pen [compatible with Lilly 3mL cartridges], vial or syringe between patients, even if the needle is changed. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens.

Changes in insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or method of administration may affect glycemic control and predispose patients to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. These changes should be made cautiously and only under close medical supervision and the frequency of blood glucose monitoring should be increased. For patients with type 2 diabetes, dosage adjustments of concomitant anti-diabetic products may be needed.

Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction associated with insulins, including Basaglar, Humalog [100 units/mL and 200 units/mL], Humalog Mix50/50 and Humalog Mix75/25. Severe hypoglycemia can cause seizures, may be life threatening, or cause death.

Accidental mix-ups between insulin glargine (100 units/mL) or basal insulin products and other insulins, particularly rapid-acting insulins, have been reported. To avoid medication errors between insulins, instruct patients to always check the insulin label before each injection to confirm that the correct insulin is dispensed, including the correct insulin brand and concentration.

Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulin products, including Basaglar, Humalog [100 units/mL and 200 units/mL], Humalog Mix50/50 and Humalog Mix75/25. If hypersensitivity reactions occur, discontinue use; treat per standard of care and monitor until symptoms and signs resolve.

All insulin products, including Basaglar, Humalog [100 units/mL and 200 units/mL], Humalog Mix50/50 and Humalog Mix75/25 cause a shift in potassium from the extracellular to intracellular space, possibly leading to hypokalemia. Untreated hypokalemia may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death. Monitor potassium levels in patients at risk for hypokalemia if indicated.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonists, can cause dose-related fluid retention, particularly when used in combination with insulin. Fluid retention may lead to or exacerbate heart failure. Patients treated with insulin, including Basaglar, Humalog [100 units/mL and 200 units/mL], Humalog Mix50/50, Humalog Mix75/25, and a PPAR-gamma agonist should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure develops, dosage reduction or discontinuation of TZD must be considered.

Malfunction of an insulin pump device using Humalog U-100, infusion set, or insulin degradation can rapidly lead to hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis. Patients using subcutaneous insulin infusion pumps must be trained to administer insulin by injection and have alternate insulin therapy available in case of pump failure.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Adverse reactions commonly associated with insulin glargine products, Humalog [100 units/mL and 200 units/mL], Humalog Mix50/50and Humalog Mix75/25 are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, and weight gain.

Other adverse reactions commonly associated with:

  • Insulin glargine products:  pruritus, rash, and edema.
  • Humalog [100 units/mL and 200 units/mL]: hypokalemia, pruritus, rash, and peripheral edema.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Certain drugs may affect glucose metabolism, requiring insulin dose adjustment and close monitoring of blood glucose. The signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia may be blunted when beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine are co-administered with Basaglar.

DB BV HI BOI HCP ISI 29NOV2016

For more information, please click any of the following to access Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information.

Click to access BASAGLAR Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information

Click to access Humalog U100 Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information

Click to access Humalog U200 Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information

Click to access Humalog Mix 50/50 Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information

Click to access Humalog Mix 75/25 Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information

Click to access Humulin N Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information

Click to access Humulin 70/30 Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information

Click to access Humulin R Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information