INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and
Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced that people who use Lilly
insulin will be able to access discounted prices for their
purchases starting January 1, 2017
via mobile and web platforms hosted by Blink Health. The discounts,
provided by Lilly through a partnership with Express Scripts
(NASDAQ: ESRX), may reduce costs for people who pay full retail
prices at the pharmacy, such as those who have no insurance or are
in the deductible phase of their high-deductible insurance
plans.
Changes in insurance benefit design have increased the cost of
insulin for some people. While discounts and rebates paid by
manufacturers make insulin affordable for most people, they don't
directly help the uninsured or people in the deductible phase of
their high-deductible plans. And while some high-deductible plans
exempt insulin from the deductible phase, others require people to
pay most or all of the retail price until the deductible is met –
meaning these people don't fully benefit from rebates when they
visit the pharmacy.
By using the Blink Health platforms, people who pay full price
for most Lilly insulins may save 40 percent. This discount program
will be the first time branded medicines will be discounted via the
Blink Health platform, which has previously only been used for
generic prescription drugs.
"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."
Lilly has met with multiple leaders in the diabetes community,
including leading advocacy groups and people with diabetes, about
the price of insulin for several months. Lilly and Express Scripts
started working on options for people who pay full retail price
earlier this fall. Enrique Conterno,
president of Lilly Diabetes, said today's announcement will
hopefully drive additional change within the health care system for
people 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 starting point of the offer will coincide with the new
deductible period for many health plans on January 1, 2017. The program includes all
presentations of Humalog® (insulin lispro injection 100
units/mL) available at pharmacies, all Humulin® U100
formulations (insulin human injection 100 units/mL), and
BASAGLAR® (insulin glargine injection 100 units/mL), a
long-acting follow-on biologic being introduced this month by Lilly
and Boehringer Ingelheim.
People who use the platform will go outside their health plan to
realize the savings, which means the new retail price may not be
applied to annual deductibles. Anyone considering the platform
should compare the benefits to their current prescription insurance
options before deciding which program is best for them.
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
About Diabetes
Approximately 29 million
Americans1 and an estimated 415 million people worldwide
have type 1 and type 2 diabetes.2 Type 2 diabetes is the
most common type, accounting for an estimated 90 to 95 percent of
all diabetes cases. Diabetes is a chronic disease
that occurs when the body does not either properly produce or use
the hormone insulin.1
About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader
in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first
commercial insulin. Today we work to meet the diverse needs of
people with diabetes through research and collaboration, a broad
and growing product portfolio and a continued commitment to
providing real solutions—from medicines to support programs and
more—to make lives better. For more information, visit
www.lillydiabetes.com and @LillyDiabetes.
About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global
healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life
better for people around the world. We were founded more than a
century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines
that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in
all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover
and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve
the understanding and management of disease, and give back to
communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more
about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and
www.lilly.com/newsroom/social-channels.
Humulin®, Humalog® and
Basaglar® are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and
Company.
P-LLY
PP-LD-US-1007 12/2016 ©LillyUSA, LLC 2016. All rights
reserved.
References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf
. October 2014.
2 International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes
Atlas, 7th edn. Brussels,
Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2015.
http://www.idf.org/diabetesatlas.
Refer to:
Greg Kueterman (317) 432-5195
Julie Williams (317) 627-4056
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company