This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Shortage of insulin glulisine pens anticipated through early 2012
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Patients and health care professionals can expect a shortage of insulin glulisine prefilled pens, including Apidra Optiset and Apidra SoloStar, and reusable cartridges, including Apidra ClikStar, that will likely begin in October and may last through early 2012, Sanofi-Aventis announced.
Production of insulin glulisine was held up in July 2011 when accidental spillage occurred at one of the manufacturer's plants in Frankfurt, Germany. All available product is safe, and there is no concern regarding insulin glulisine itself or its other preparations, according to information posted on the product's website.
Until the shortage ends, the manufacturer suggests switching patients to insulin glulisine injections if possible, as vials are not among the affected products. A small supply of Apidra SoloStar, however, has been reserved for patients for whom insulin glulisine is the only option and can be made available on a case-by-case basis after discussion with a Sanofi-Aventis medical staff member, the manufacturer wrote in a letter to health care professionals.
After stringent quality tests, supply levels should return to normal by the first quarter of 2012, according to the manufacturer.
 |
Follow EndocrineToday.com on Twitter. |