What to Expect: Product Discontinuations
Generic Insulin Glargine to Leave Market in Favor of Lantus®
With the 78% drop in the Lantus® list price, expect Sanofi to discontinue production of its unbranded product – insulin glargine – and solely market Lantus® as its long-acting insulin option at the newly reduced price. Lantus will continue to be available as 10mL vials and 3mL pens (Lantus® Solostar®).
Levemir® Discontinuation
Novo Nordisk has expressly announced intent to discontinue Levemir® (insulin detemir), citing manufacturing constraints, reduced patient access, and the availability of alternative insulins. The manufacturer states that supply disruptions will start in mid-January 2024, followed by discontinuation of the injection pen in April and of vials by the end of 2024. Long-acting insulin options would then include Lantus® (insulin glargine), insulin glargine-yfgn (branded and unbranded), and insulin degludec (branded and unbranded).
Victoza Production Decrease
Although not an insulin, Novo Nordisk’s anticipated production decrease in Victoza® (liraglutide; GLP-1 receptor agonist) is significant to long-term care (LTC) healthcare providers, given the preferred place in therapy this drug class has in current diabetes treatment guidelines. Novo announced that their strategy to reduce Victoza® production is in effort to increase production of Ozempic® (semaglutide), as the manufacturer struggles to meet demand for the latter GLP-1RA indicated for weight loss. Shortages of Victoza® are expected to continue as late as the second quarter of 2024.