Novo Nordisk announced on 2 January 2020 that it was launching its My$99Insulin Program, biosimilar versions of its insulin products and an ‘Immediate Supply’ option.

Via the My$99Insulin programme, patients can purchase up to three vials or two packs of FlexPen/FlexTouch/Penfill pens of any combination of insulins from Novo Nordisk for US$99. The Immediate Supply option, on the other hand, is a new, immediate, one-time insulin supply option available for people facing an acute need when more time is needed to identify a long-term sustainable solution.

Finally, the company also says that it is going to make authorized biosimilars (follow-on brand insulins) of NovoLog and NovoLog Mix (made by the new US company, Novo Nordisk Pharma) available at pharmacies within 1‒3 business days at 50% discount to the list price. The company first announced its plans to launch biosimilar versions of its NovoLog and NovoLog Mix insulin products in the US in October 2019 [1].

Eli Lilly announced on 14 January 2020 that it was expanding its insulin affordability options with lower-priced versions of Humalog Mix75/25 KwikPen and Humalog Junior KwikPen.

The company originally launched a lower-priced (50% lower than list price of originator) authorized biosimilar version [Insulin Lispro Injection (100 units/mL)] of its diabetes treatment Humalog (insulin lispro) in the US in May 2019 [2].

This new announcement now adds two further options for insulin users. The lower-priced versions will be known as Insulin Lispro Protamine and Insulin Lispro Injectable Suspension Mix75/25 KwikPen (100 units/mL). Both insulins will also have a 50% lower list price compared to the brand-name version and will be available by mid-April 2020.

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References
1. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Novo Nordisk to launch biosimilar insulin in the US [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2020 Jan 24]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Novo-Nordisk-to-launch-biosimilar-insulin-in-the-US
2. GaBI Online - Generics and Biosimilars Initiative. Eli Lilly launches lower-priced insulin lispro [www.gabionline.net]. Mol, Belgium: Pro Pharma Communications International; [cited 2020 Jan 24]. Available from: www.gabionline.net/Biosimilars/General/Eli-Lilly-launches-lower-priced-insulin-lispro

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