New Delhi, September 14, 2023 – American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has announced its decision to withdraw its insulin Glargine product, Basaglar KwikPen, from the Indian market. This insulin medication, used in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in both adults and children, provides a steady supply of insulin throughout the day to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Eli Lilly has confirmed that it will stop importing and marketing Basaglar KwikPen after March 5, 2024, as indicated in a public notice issued on August 30. The product is currently marketed in India by pharmaceutical giant Cipla.
This move by Eli Lilly is considered a strategic business decision to streamline its product portfolio in India. A company spokesperson stated, “After careful consideration, Lilly India has decided to discontinue Basaglar KwikPen (insulin Glargine) to streamline our current and future product portfolio in the country.”
Patients who rely on Basaglar for their diabetes management have been advised to consult their healthcare providers for alternative treatment options, as the medication may no longer be available in the market after its discontinuation.
Basaglar has faced intense competition in the Indian market, coupled with pricing challenges due to a price ceiling imposed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). The NPPA has set the price at Rs 244.13 per ml for insulin Glargine 100IU per ml pens. Despite an initially successful launch by Eli Lilly and Cipla in 2019, the product’s sales volume has remained low due to this high level of competition.
Eli Lilly has expressed its commitment to continuing to bring innovative medicines to India, and it will still offer Basaglar insulin in the more commonly used 3 ml cartridge formulation. This strategic decision aligns with the company’s efforts to focus on sustainable growth and a more efficient product portfolio in the Indian market.