If you’re an Apidra user, listen up!
Sanofi Aventis has announced that due to a technical malfunction at their plant in Frankfurt, Germany, production on all Apidra SoloSTAR insulin pens has come to a screeching halt. Sanofi has made it clear that this is an issue with the manufacturing of the pens themselves, not the insulin. Apidra insulin itself is running strong, and patients won’t have issues with previously manufactured insulin pens or any vials of Apidra.
The pen shortage is expected to last until at least January 2012, possibly through the first quarter of next year. If you don’t have enough pens in reserve, you’ll need to talk to your doctor about switching to vials of Apidra.
Sanofi has set up a website to handle questions about the supply issue, with support resources and info about how to switch from pens to vials.
A pain in the rear for sure, but not the end of the world. We’ll keep you in the loop as more updates come in.
I appreciate the information above, and, while not wanting to go back to vials and syringes, apparently there is not other choice for time being.
However, I don’t think this notice was written in a professional manner that your company wants to portray. “If you’re an Apidra user, listen up!”, and “A pain in the rear for sure, but not the end of the world.” As this is an issue to those who use the SoloSTAR either by choice or necessity, I would expect your comments to reflect the seriousness of this problem, as well as the adults who read this.
Whilst any notice is appreaciated and thank you,but for me I only found out when my repeat perscription was unable to be met by the chemist.No information given by the GP, the perscription was automatically issued, and seeing this is the 7th November when would any formal information have been given.As regards reserve pens you must be having a laugh!Our surgery only issues 3 no pens at a time, when there are 5 no pens in a standard box!The main issue will once again having to use a syringe which to the non diabetic can appear to look like your a drug user,which when using a pen was never perceived to be the case by joe public.So I suppose the added time inconvience of injecting this way will mean less time to get on with a so called normal life which in this present economic climate where every second counts,is for sure a right pain,and having to explain over and over that you really are a diabetic, and no my condition has not got worse,either way the only world affected is the insulin dependant diabetic on Apidra SoloStar .Information is key and a comprehensive update would now be appreciated by end users,surely the manufacturer can give a definative date,not just somewhere in a 3 month period ,in the new year ?- Germans and technical problems are rare but when solutions and slow are added into the equation the mind thinks – obviously they do not have contractual penalaties to keep the mind focused or do words like barrel and over come to mind!
My wife received a letter from the manufacture and they have waived the co-pay on the vials. I think that is something I can appreciate. It shows a sincere desire to do good by you.
If they want to do good by me they ought to get back into production! This is completely unacceptable. This happened last September. Thatsb5 months ago. Effing Germans
what is the status of the production of the solo pen ??? do you have an update on when you will get them back to the venders ?? Iam good untill 12 feb 2012 is that good or just is going on. very sad that you cant correct this trouble in a few months. i am retired air force also retired from lockeed missel and space and if we couldnt fix a production line error in 2 months we would not have a job. what is your new date to have this item back up and running tks gil
I am a retired pharmacist and diabetes educator as well as a user of Apidra Solostar. Because I am retired and have not needed a refill for about six weeks, I only recently became aware of the unavailability of the Apidra Solostar. I looked up the problem on the internet and discovered the statement to “listen up” and that the shortage was “a pain in the rear but not the end of the world”. I hope this advice was not generated by the manufacturer or distributer of this product as I found it offensive and unprofessional. In my 50 years as a practicing pharmacist, I have had to deal with product shortages and advising patients. I have never told a patient to “listen up”. I never suggested that they should live with it” or ahatever the second part of the comment was meant to imply. l made every effort to give my patients full information on the cause, duration and likely date of availability. I feel that this is just a basic of professional practice.
J.T.Lynch RPh January 16,2012
Just wanted to confirm to any readers that sanofi have announced Apidra stock has arrived in the uk and all wholesalers and pharmacists will be in full stock wc 6th February. Sanofi have apologised to all patients that have been affected by the temporary disruption. I haven’t had any issues as my GP phoned the company and provided me stock they had reserved for vulnerable patients.
WHERE DID THE INFO. THAT THE PEN WOULD BE BACK IN FULL SUPPLY BY 6 FEB 2012 , I CALLED AND THEY STILL SAY MAYBE THE 1ST QTR OF 2012.. NO OTHER INFO. FROM SANOFI , ???
All healthcare professionals have been informed by sanofi I was told
When can we get the pens? Unfortunately in learning to use vials
and get into a routine, I have broken two.
Old hands are not nimble !
How can you believe ANYTHING these fools tell you. They can’t even keep their basic product in production. They won’t even answer emails…..just tell you to call 8-5 Eastern…..fat lotta good that does me from the west coast.
I have a diabetic child and have never used vials, always pens. I found out yesterday when I went to get her refill! It’s the 8th of Feb. so I am thinking that the West coast will be last. I get one vial now instead of five pens. Thanks for the info. The pharmacy only knew that there is a massive backorder. Thanks!
Today is Feb 18, 2012, Texas. We have access to three pharmacies without driving a long distance. Rexall is not sure about their backorder on Apidra Solostar. HEB Pharmacy has same response. Walmart Pharmacy says it has been taken off the market. My husband was sent home on Apidra Solostar from the hospital 3 weeks ago. Now we can’t get it. Maybe the insulin should also be made in the USA or the UK besides Germany so that supplies don’t come to a complete stop. Insulin can be a life or death situation. Question: Has Apidra Solostar been taken off the market in the US? If the Southwestern part of the US doesn’t have it yet; then the West Coast is hurting if they are waiting for delivery to start at the East Coast and cross the country.
This is crap give me the same song and dance about the copay. Ive orderd 2 times in the last 3 months and had to pay the copay both times. Sent me the Vials with no instrutions or needles to take the stuff. Guess have to take a double shot in a double shot glass in the AM (I Guess)
what is the real story on the solo star pen???? why cant they give an up date?? what are they hiding???? when you call them they give the same old story it is getting old, they need to get a new status report . JAN 2012 IS GONE, NOW FEB IS GONE, AND STILL THE SAME OLD STORY, WHAT IS REALY GOING ON?? IF YOU DONT KNOW WHEN YOU WILL BE BACK IN PRODUCTION , THEN TELL US . THIS IS SAD WHEN A CO. CANT FIX A PRODUCTION ERROR IN 6 (SIX) MONTHS .THEN YOU SHOULD CLOSE DOWN AND TELL THE USERS. A VERY UPSET USER ,
“A pain in the rear for sure, but not the end of the world.”???
Maybe not for the author of this article, but it IS a very serious situation. Due to nerve damage in my left hand I am unable to fill a syringe from a vial without a great deal of difficulty.
I must agree with another poster who noted that this was written in a very unprofessional & cavalier manner for such a serious subject.
BTW, I had to find out about the production shortage by contacting Apidra directly.
The two main pharmacies in my area, Walgreens & cVS, were told that the pens would no longer be available.
Period.
So much for keeping their suppliers & end-users informed.
I DONT CARE , I HAVE GONE TO THE NOVO LOG FLEX PEN AND IT IS WORKING FINE. X SOLO STAR USER. GIL
First I was told the solostar pen would again be available in February 2012. Now the story is that it will be
June 2012. Who knows the true story?
I travel often and miss the convenience of the pens.
Those syringes take up a lot of space. About 100
for 1 month.
Very disappointing!!!!! A technical problem!!!
Technical problems can be fixed. Why is that
not being done?
Just get it done!!!!!
I have used Apidra for about a year. During that time, I have had 3-5 pens on which the dosage could not be selected…., a mechanical problem. Although I talked to their customer service, they really don’t understand and do not seem to know anything. Any update on when they will be back in stock?
What is causing the long delay? the problem occured some time ago. at first I was told the production would be avaliable in March, then April, then May and now June. I cannot understand it. What in heck is going on?
Today 14/09/2012 in BRAZIL,no apidra SoloStar, only in pharmacies in other states, with shipping expensive and long with inadequate cooling; without informing the validity of the product since the doses are small! The Lantus SoloStar the same manufacturer to pharmacy provides free public me and is not failing! Disregard for the consumer!