Eli Lilly insulin (various forms)

The company Eli Lilly has decided to stop marketing some of its insulin medicines for commercial reasons. This decision is not related to a quality defect or safety issue. 

The discontinuations affect Member States differently. For more details, consult your country’s shortage register or contact your national competent authority. 

EMA’s Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety of Medicinal Products (MSSG) and EMA’s shortages working party (Medicines Shortages Single Point of Contact – SPOC - working party) are closely monitoring the supply situation and engaging with the marketing authorisation holder and other stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the planned discontinuations.

The SPOC Working Party Supports EMA’s MSSG and monitors and reports events that could affect the supply of medicines in the EU.

• For information specific to your country, please consult your national shortage register or contact your national competent authority.
• In affected Member States, healthcare professionals will receive a shortage communication letter with details on the impacted insulins and recommended actions.
• Where applicable, healthcare professionals should transition patients currently using any of the affected insulins to suitable alternatives, in line with existing guidance and their clinical judgement.
• Healthcare professionals should ensure that all patients are counselled on any changes in the new insulin regimen including the need to change dose and/or usage of the new insulin delivery system and additional glucose monitoring.
• Close glucose monitoring is recommended when the patient is switched to another type or brand of insulin and in the initial weeks thereafter, especially in pregnant women and children who may need closer monitoring than the general population. The risk of hypoglycaemia may be higher in these populations.
• Healthcare professionals may also contact relevant organisations for further information. A list of European not-for-profit organisations EMA engages with can be found on the EMA website.

• For information specific to your country, please consult your national shortage register or contact your healthcare professional.
• Your healthcare professional will advise you if any of the insulins you are using are affected by the discontinuation and will switch you to an alternative insulin, if needed.
• If your healthcare professional switches your insulin they will explain any changes to you and ensure that you are given adequate training on using any new insulin delivery system.
• If you are being switched, you may need to closely monitor your glucose levels during the transfer to another type or brand of insulin and in the initial weeks thereafter. This applies especially if you are pregnant or under 18 years of age, as you may be at higher risk of hypoglycaemia.
• If you have any questions, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
• You may also contact relevant patients’ organisations for further information or support. A list of European not-for-profit organisations that EMA engages with can be found on the EMA website.
• For additional information, consult your country’s shortage register or contact your national competent authority.