Insulin lispro

Lilly will discontinue certain insulin products in Europe before the second quarter of 2027. Eli Lilly is scaling back its legacy insulin footprint in Europe, with plans to discontinue a swath of products for “commercial reasons.” The company is removing several of its insulin presentations, including short- and rapid-acting, mixed-acting and long-acting iterations of its products containing human insulin, insulin lispro and insulin glargine across selected European countries, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced on Monday. The discontinuations are all expected to play out before the second quarter of 2027, but the specific products and withdrawal timelines differ across European countries. The retreat, which includes versions of Humalog and Abasaglar, comes as Lilly increasingly leans on its high-growth GLP-1 portfolio.EMA listed the update as a supply shortage, but notes that Lilly has “decided to stop marketing some of its insulin medicines for commercial reasons” and not due to a safety or quality issue. Specifically, Lilly is removing its Humalog Mix25 (a mix of 25% insulin lispro and 75% insulin lispro protamine) across all of the European countries in which it's currently marketed in.Several other insulin products in multiple administration will be discontinued, a related medical shortage communication (PDF) laid out. Those products include short-and rapid-acting Lyumjev in different dose strengths, Humulin S (human insulin), Humalog, Liprolog, intermediate-acting Humulin I, mixed-acting Humalog Mix50 and Humulin M3, plus long-acting Abasaglar (known as Basaglar in the U.S.). The decision came after “careful consideration and a thorough market assessment,” the company said in the shortage communication, which was sent out to healthcare professionals across European member states. The discontinuations are “not a consequence of any safety, efficacy or quality related issue,” Lilly stressed. The drugmaker further emphasized that patients must be switched to an alternative insulin treatment before the discontinuation take effect in order to avoid missing doses and may need to adjust doses based on potential differences with an alternative product. Discontinuation of Lilly’s Humalog already hit the U.K. last year, with a notice that stock of certain products would be depleted by April and May of 2026.  Humalog reached the U.S. market in 1996 as the world’s first rapid-acting insulin analog. Since then, the company’s “Humalog family” has grown to include multiple different treatment options. More recently, as Lilly’s diabetes drug portfolio has been dominated by newer blockbusters such as its GLP-1 Mounjaro and Boehringer Ingelheim-partnered Jardiance, the company did not report specific Humalog sales in 2025. In 2024, Humalog saw a 40% year-over-year revenue decline to $2.3 million. The drug has been the subject of pricing controversy, with a years-long lawsuit slamming Lilly and fellow insulin makers Sanofi and Novo Nordisk for an “insidious” pricing war that caused steep price hikes. Lilly moved to resolve the nationwide class action with a $13.5 million settlement, but the deal was called off in 2024.The company ultimately slashed its insulin prices by 70% in 2023 and continues the push to bring down its insulin prices with a recently effective 70% price cut for other versions of its insulins. Still, Lilly hasn’t yet escaped the pricing concerns, with the state of Indiana filing a January lawsuit accusing the company of artificially inflating insulin prices. 

Patients taking Eli Lilly’s Zepbound for obesity management now have a new option for their weekly injection routine. The single-patient-use KwikPen delivers a full month of tirzepatide doses in one device, reducing the need for multiple single-use pens or vials. The four-dose pen could serve as a more convenient option for some patients by streamlining treatment and reducing the number of devices they need to use on a monthly basis to administer the drug. Lilly already sells the multi-use pen for formulations of its Mounjaro, Humalog, Basaglar, Lyumjev, Humulin, and other drugs. The company said on February 23 that the Food and Drug Administration label expansion cleared Zepbound for use with the KwikPen . KwikPen design vs. single-dose auto-injectors As delivery systems evolve, evidence suggests that device configuration plays a critical role in shaping the overall treatment experience. Comparative research on GLP-1 receptor agonist pens , including multi-dose formats, has found that factors such as setup steps, injection mechanics, and overall ergonomics influence ease of use, confidence, and patient satisfaction. Before the multi-dose KwikPen, delivery mechanisms for Zepbound included a single-use vial with a syringe or a single-dose pen — both of which required a new device each week. Single-use vial-and-syringe packaging evolves with the multi-use pen. (Eli Lilly) When using the Zepbound single-dose pen, patients remove the cap, press the base firmly against the skin, and unlock it by turning the lock ring. They then press and hold the purple button for up to 10 seconds. A first click signals the injection has started; a second click confirms it’s complete. The KwikPen works differently. Patients attach a new needle (sold separately) and prime the pen before each dose. After priming, the dose knob at the base of the device is turned until the number “1” appears, indicating the weekly dose. To activate the device, the user holds it against their skin, presses the knob in fully, and counts to five. When the dose window shows “0,” the injection is done, and the needle is removed and discarded. The main differences between the two devices center on convenience and handling. The single-dose pen is simple but requires a new device weekly, while the KwikPen consolidates a month’s doses into one pen, though it requires needle attachment, priming, and dose setting each time. Preference will likely depend on lifestyle, comfort with injections, and cost—the KwikPen is currently available only through the company’s direct-to-consumer website, starting at $299 per month for the lowest dose. While convenience is a key advantage, the KwikPen also helps reduce medical waste by generating fewer discarded devices. On Diabetes Dialogue , cohosts Diana Isaacs, PharmD, and Natalie Bellini, DNP, highlight the environmental benefits of the multi-dose pen in an engaging discussion that explores the advantages of the KwikPen, how it compares with traditional vials, and what it could mean for the future of weight-loss therapies. Patient reviews reveal dilemma: design vs. ease Users quickly took to social media to share both enthusiasm and skepticism about the new KwikPen. On Reddit , many described it as a convenient, travel-friendly middle ground between vials and single-use auto-injectors. One user noted: “As a frequent, multi-week traveler I look forward to these being available through conventional pharmacies. It’ll be so much easier to carry one pen rather than 4!” Among the perceived advantages: less packaging waste and smaller, thinner pen needles that some users say may make injections more comfortable. Still, not all feedback was positive. Some vial users who value precise dose control expressed concern about reduced flexibility for maintenance dosing. “I am hoping to stay on vials,” said one poster. “I am close to maintenance and I want the control of being able to control the dose. If they get rid of the vials I will probably have to look for an alternative provider.” Others noted that the KwikPen must be discarded 30 days after first use, even if doses remain. A few users also described the device as appearing more complicated than vials, with one calling it “cumbersome.” No doubt, the introduction of the KwikPen represents another step in the evolution of delivery options for Zepbound. As broader adoption unfolds and more patients share their experiences, real-world use will ultimately determine whether the device becomes a preferred choice or simply one of several viable tools for delivering obesity management medication.