Eli Lilly’s insulin gesture isn’t enough
In mid-February the comment period closed for the Federal Drug Administration's proposed approach to transition insulins as regulated drugs to biologics and biosimilars. Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company noted in its comments that it wanted to introduce its own versions. And, on Monday, it did just that. Lilly will begin selling an authorized generic of Humalog 100 for $137.35 per vial, which is roughly 50 percent below the insulin's current list price. As an authorized generic the insulin will be identical to the brand-name, except for the label, and will be manufactured in the same facilities. The generic will be called Insulin Lispro, according to company reports, and sold through an Eli Lilly subsidiary, ImClone Systems. Introduction of the authorized generic is a compromise, of sorts. The pharmaceutical company is…
