INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, a new
shipment of commercial medicines, including more than 36,000 vials
and pens of insulin, arrived in Puerto
Rico. The delivery by Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY)
includes 3,000 vials for humanitarian distribution and enough
commercial insulin to help re-stock operational pharmacies. Lilly's
humanitarian donation now includes 5,400 insulin pens and vials
since Hurricane Maria struck Puerto
Rico on September 20.
"The arrival of this additional insulin will help our efforts
considerably," said Angel L.
Comulada, M.D., president of the Puerto Rican Society of
Diabetology and Endocrinology (SPED). "The recovery effort on the
island has been difficult, and people with diabetes are
particularly vulnerable without a dependable supply of insulin.
This is an important step in our re-building efforts."
For people who can get to a pharmacy, the best way to access
medicines is through normal channels. If their pharmacy is not
open, insulin can be picked up at the following locations:
- Bayamon Health Center, 8 a.m. to 12
p.m., Monday through Friday
- Centro de Diabetes para Puerto
Rico, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Hospital Municipal de San
Juan, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday
through Friday
"We're committed to helping the people of Puerto Rico recover from the destruction of
Hurricane Maria," said Enrique
Conterno, president of Lilly Diabetes and Lilly USA. "Our humanitarian shipments are now being
complemented with commercial insulin, allowing wholesalers to begin
re-stocking products – which, in turn, will allow the people of
Puerto Rico to find medicine more
regularly at their pharmacies. And our humanitarian shipments will
provide relief for many who may have no other options."
Lilly's first humanitarian shipment, 2,400 pens and vials of
insulin, arrived in San Juan on
September 24. Recipients of the
insulin included the Municipality of San
Juan, Centro Médico, San Jorge Children's Hospital, and
Guaynabo, Hato Rey and Cayey
Dialysis Centers. The additional 3,000 humanitarian vials will be
distributed to centers established by SPED and to other locations
by Direct Relief International, in close collaboration with local
health experts and authorities.
Lilly knows the humanitarian needs around the island are
significant and intends to make additional donations of insulin and
other medicines in the weeks ahead as efforts to provide needed
medical assistance continue.
"The devastation inflicted on Puerto
Rico is beyond what many of us can imagine, and the health
and safety of everyone is on all our minds," Conterno said. "This
latest shipment of medicine is an important step, but much work
remains. Lilly will continue to monitor developments on the island
closely and work to ensure our medicines are available."
Tips for Storing Insulin and Other Helpful
Info1
The FDA offers guidance on insulin storage in an emergency:
- Insulin products that are in vials or cartridges can be left
unrefrigerated for up to 28 days, even if it's already been
opened.
- Ideally, the temperature should still be between 59◦F and 86◦F,
but in an emergency like this, insulin may still be used if the
temperature is greater than 86◦F.
- Insulin can lose some of its effectiveness when exposed to
extreme temperatures. The longer the exposure, the less effective
insulin becomes. People using insulin exposed to high temperatures
should check their blood sugar as often as possible in case more
insulin than usual is needed.
- Insulin should be kept as cool as possible, but not frozen.
People should not use insulin that has been frozen. Also keep
insulin away from direct heat and out of direct sunlight.
- For questions about insulin or if someone is in need of
insulin, contact Lilly at (800) 545-5979. The FDA can also be
reached for questions at (855) 543-3784.
If a patient is uncertain as to the effectiveness of his or her
insulin based on difficulties with storage/exposure to extreme
temperatures, and unexplained loss of glucose control is seen, it
is advised that new insulin be obtained if possible.
If a patient's insulin has been damaged or destroyed by the
storm, he or she can talk to their pharmacy about getting a new
30-day supply. Many insurance plans have "disaster overrides" that
allow people to replace their destroyed medicine for the cost of a
co-pay. If they don't have a disaster override, Lilly will
replenish customers with a new 30-day supply at no charge. And if
patients have a high-deductible plan that normally requires
patients to pay the full price for their treatment, they will
receive a 30-day supply at no charge if their medicine is
destroyed. Further assistance is available via The Lilly Answers
Center at (800) 545-5979.
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. C-LLY
References
1. U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Information Regarding Insulin Storage and Switching
Between Products in an Emergency, Last Updated Sept. 19, 2017. Available at
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergencypreparedness/ucm085213.htm.
October 2017.
CONTACT: Kelley Murphy; kmurphy@lilly.com;
317-701-4007
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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company