Comments on: Insulin Shakeout: Lilly, Generics, What’s Next?

By: Conell

Conell — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:08:21 +0000

I was told that when taking insulin one’s blood alcohol level will rise. Is this true.

By: Florian

Florian — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 22:12:06 +0000

There is a company in India called BioCon that makes insulin and has deals with US companies to supply the insulin for development of new products. Check out http://www.biocon.com/insugen/biocon_new_launch.html

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 00:54:58 +0000

Amy,

I apologize if I came off sounding a little aggressive. I acknowledge that I have a bias in favor of Lilly since they have basically kept me alive since 1988. I am grateful that other companies (albeit not many) have stepped into the insulin market to provide competition and backup!

I suspect, from my brother’s recent experience at Lilly, that they are really pulling back financially. Maybe these patient outreach opportunities are seen as an easy way to cut back on expenses; in the larger picture, though, it seems like that approach may backfire. If they are confronted with calling and saying that the CWD conference is not in the budget (and perhaps giving out stronger evidence that they are in financial trouble) vs. remaining silent, perhaps they have chosen the latter option.

By: Cecily

Cecily — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:18:04 +0000

Amy,
I found all of this information really interesting.
I’m very new to the diabetes thing (type 1, diagnosed 6 months ago) and even newer to the diabetes blog world. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve learned a LOT and can already relate to so much of what you write about even though a very small amount of time has passed since my diagnosis.

I look forward to checking this website often!

Thank you~ Cecily

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 03:15:16 +0000

Lilly might be running scared from the generic movement. Too bad. Also, if you can make the stuff from saffron, doesn’t that essentially relegate us to purchasing product from GNC? I don’t know enough about the insulin universe, admittedly. As a type 2 diabetic, it’s not part of my life yet. I feel sorely lacking, and wish I knew more. Thank you for posting this message – it got my attention and helps focus me on my need to become more informed.

By: AmyT

AmyT — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:26:04 +0000

Anne, I ought to have added that my personal experience with Lilly has been nothing but positive. I too have visited their HQ and moving historical museum. I figure they’re instrumental in saving my life, for sure.

As usual, this post is simply reporting on what I see being discussed in the diabetes community/industry.

When I read that people like Jeff Hitchcock can’t get the company to answer their calls, that makes me wonder… why isn’t Lilly doing more to plug in to vital patient communities like CWD?

By: Michael Park

Michael Park — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 22:53:11 +0000

Unfortunately, I’ve been aware of the changing insulin world for a while. When I first switched to Humalog, I was so impressed with the world of analogues!! After a while, I developed insulin resistance to the point that I thought my days of analogues were permanantly kaputz. Luckily, Novorapid is just ever so slightly different in the amino acids, so it works AOK for me.
Unfortunately, those are stresses that we shouldn’t have to worry about.. but, alas, we do!

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 20:33:19 +0000

I’ve used Lilly insulin since day 1 and wasn’t aware of bad relationships between the company and patients or parents of patients. I am just grateful that they were innovative enough to bring about a major revolution in diabetes care (in my opininion): insulin analogs. They were the first to do it, and I am grateful. I remember, after taking my first dose back in 1997 or whenever that was, thinking, “Wow, this stuff actually works,” in contrast to Regular insulin, which was a pain.

I agree that it is expensive and they could probably charge less. On the other hand, it takes a lot of time and $ to get past all of the failed ideas that eventually result in something like Humalog. I just hope they can keep their innovative edge; there seems to be some doubt about that now, I guess.

My brother worked at Lilly for several years and I had the opportunity to tour their main facility in Indianapolis, and to visit the old building where drugs used to be prepared. I was impressed and felt from my visit that they still emphasize to their employees the human aspect of what they are all doing. (This was the sense that my brother had as a Lilly employee, as well.)

I don’t doubt that their primary objective is to stay fiscally afloat, and to stay afloat in style. On the other hand, I don’t think they should be demonized as being greedy and careless. (I’m not suggesting that you do this in your posting, but it seems like there are some who do.)

Maybe the reason that they haven’t been making big appearances lately is because they are trying to cut back on “extraneous” expenses. While I agree that Lilly shold seek feedback from its customers, is it really critical for them to be best friends with parents? We get our best support from family, friends, and our medical team.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:11:11 +0000

The real issue for Lilly is that insulin remains a critical contributor to the company’s bottom line (less we forget, Humalog is a $1 billion product, and one that needs to be protected). However, in the last decade, Lilly has spent heavily on other theraputic areas, including spending $2.1 billion Icos Corp. last year for total control of the erectile dysfunction partnership.

Lilly is not accustomed to being an underdog in the insulin market which it dominated for more than 80 years. However, the company now needs to invest heavily to protect that franchise, but its less clear whether they will do so.