Blitz Bureau
Some diabetes patients in the US have had trouble finding their preferred insulin brands this year as major drug manufacturers reported shortages of the medicine, according to American daily USA Today.
Advocates for diabetes patients who need insulin to survive worry the nation’s supply has become unreliable. Certain brands of insulin have been periodically in shortage since late 2023, reported the newspaper.
The shortages caught the attention of patient advocates and members of Congress who have demanded answers from the nation’s three dominant insulin makers.
US Reps Diana DeGette, a Colorado Democrat, and Gus Bilirakis, a Florida Republican, asked the three major insulin makers last month what steps they were taking to shore up the supply of insulin.
In September 23 letters to CEOs of the three pharmaceutical giants, the lawmakers said insulin was a “critical public health need” and they reminded them that patients with Type 1 diabetes need steady access to shortacting insulin.
Manufacturing delay
Earlier this year, Eli Lilly reported temporary shortages of Humalog and insulin lispro in 10-milliliter vials. The company said new regulations had led to a brief delay in manufacturing, and supply shortages involving other manufacturers meant that more people were seeking Lilly’s insulin vials. The company discontinued its 3-milliliter vials of Humalog, which is mainly used by hospitals, to free up capacity for the 10-milliliter vials, according to the company’s response letter to lawmakers.
Manufacturing delays will cause the Novo Nordisk’s Fiasp vials to be in short supply through October, a spokesperson said. Earlier this year, the drugmaker reported shortages of NovoLog insulin.
Drug companies recommend patients check with their pharmacies about the availability of insulin and contact other pharmacies if necessary to find more vials. If people can’t find their preferred insulin at area pharmacies, they should speak with their doctor to determine the best course of action.
3 million dependents
Patients with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin to regulate their blood sugar because their bodies do not produce insulin. About two million Americans with Type 1 diabetes are dependent on insulin. Millions more with Type 2 diabetes also take insulin as their disease advances. About 38 million Americans have diabetes, the majority Type 2. Drug companies have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to keep pace with the skyrocketing demand from American consumers who want these drugs for diabetes, weight loss and other conditions.
