People with diabetes who use a popular long-acting insulin pen made by Sanofi have had to become pharmacy scouts in recent weeks as they encounter supply issues.
The Lantus Solostar pen containing 3 mL of insulin glargine has been running low for several weeks due to increased demand “driven by broader market dynamics,” a Sanofi spokesperson told STAT. The issue is not technically considered a shortage by the Food and Drug Administration, but patients are nonetheless having trouble getting the medication, sometimes having to call multiple locations to find a pen.
“Our priority is ensuring patients have access to their medications,” the spokesperson said, noting the company is “accelerating production and expediting all incoming replenishment stock.”
