Lilly expands affordability of Insulin Lispro Injection
Eli Lilly is continuing to work to lower the out-of-pocket costs for people using insulin. The company announced that it is lowering the list price of Insulin Lispro Injection by an additional 40% effective Jan. 1, 2022, effectively bringing the list price down to 2008 levels.
The new list price will apply to all Lilly's non-branded insulins, including Insulin Lispro Injection, a lower list-priced alternative to Humalog U-100.
The new lower list price is the latest among numerous options that can reduce out-of-pocket costs for Lilly insulin at U.S. retail pharmacies. People using any Lilly insulin – including Insulin Lispro Injection — can fill their monthly prescription for $35 through the Lilly Insulin Value Program for people with commercial insurance or who are uninsured, and the Senior Savings Model for seniors in participating Medicare Part D plans.
The new list price for Insulin Lispro Injection will be $82.41 for individual vials and $159.12 for a pack of five pens – which is 70% less than Lilly's branded Humalog U-100 counterparts and can help people who have not activated one of Lilly's affordability solutions.
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"Lilly has introduced numerous affordability programs since 2017. Collectively, these solutions are significantly lowering the out-of-pocket costs for people using our insulins," said David Ricks, Lilly's chairman and CEO. "Today's list price cut can further help people who are exposed within our healthcare system – the underinsured and uninsured. Half list-priced Insulin Lispro Injection has been adopted by a third of Humalog U-100 consumers. We hope this additional 40% cut can expand affordable insulin to more people with diabetes."
Lilly's numerous affordability solutions, combined with insurance coverage, have lowered the average monthly out-of-pocket cost for a prescription of Lilly insulin (regardless of the number of vials or pens) to $28.05, a 27% decrease over the past four years, according to the company.
In addition to lowering the list price of Insulin Lispro Injection, Lilly will keep other affordability programs in place for people using Lilly insulins – including the $35 co-pay card for the uninsured and people with commercial insurance, and the Senior Savings Model for people in participating Medicare Part D plans.
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All major wholesalers stock and deliver Insulin Lispro Injection to U.S. pharmacies, and payers will continue to have the opportunity to make the lower list-priced insulins available to people living with diabetes. Pharmacists can substitute Insulin Lispro Injection U-100 for Humalog U-100 without a new prescription because they are the same insulin. Any retail pharmacy that does not stock Insulin Lispro Injection can obtain it from a wholesaler in 1-2 days.
Approximately 1 in 3 prescriptions for Lilly's U-100 mealtime insulin – Lilly's most commonly used insulin formulation – is for Insulin Lispro Injection.
The company said that the greatest benefit will be seen by people who face higher out-of-pocket costs – such as people without insurance and those with high deductible plans or co-insurance. Most people using Insulin Lispro Injection are unlikely to see a change in what they pay for their monthly prescription because they have fixed insurance co-pays or already use one of Lilly's affordability programs. Therefore, people should continue to refill insulin prescriptions at their normal pace. Given that out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy can vary greatly due to insurance plan designs and co-pays, people should ask their pharmacist whether these lower list-priced options reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
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"The affordability options we have introduced in recent years have helped many people who were struggling to afford their insulin," said Mike Mason, president, Lilly Diabetes. "Regardless of their circumstances, people who cannot afford their Lilly insulin should call the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center, or go to insulinaffordability.com, to find solutions to help them lower their out-of-pocket costs."
People who pay more than $35 a month for their prescription of Lilly insulin can lower their out-of-pocket costs by visiting here, or by calling the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center at (833) 808-1234.