Generic Humalog Mix50/50

There are currently no generic Humalog Mix50/50 products, due to several reasons. First, there are unexpired patents that prevent generic versions of the medication from being made. Second, as a "biologic" drug, Humalog Mix50/50 is under certain laws that do not allow generic biologics to be manufactured. It is not known when (or if) a generic Humalog Mix50/50 product will ever be available.

 

Is a Generic Version of Humalog Mix50/50 Available?

Humalog® Mix50/50 (insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro) is a prescription diabetes medication. It contains a mixture of 50 percent insulin lispro (a rapid-acting insulin) and 50 percent insulin lispro protamine (an intermediate-acting insulin).
 
This medication is made by Eli Lilly and Company. At this time, no generic versions of Humalog Mix50/50 (or any other insulin medications) are available.
 

When Will Generic Humalog Mix50/50 Be Available?

There are at least two major obstacles preventing
 generic Humalog Mix50/50 from being produced. First, Humalog Mix50/50 is considered a "biologic" medication and is under different rules and laws than most other medications. At this point, generic biologics, including generic Humalog Mix50/50, are not allowed to be manufactured in the United States. Currently, legislation is under way that may change the laws concerning generic biologics, but it is not clear when (or even if) this may happen.
 
Second, Humalog Mix50/50 is protected by several unexpired patents that prevent any generic versions from being sold in the United States. The first of these patents is set to expire in May 2013. Even if the laws were changed to allow for generic insulins, the first patent for this drug would need to expire before generic Humalog Mix50/50 could be manufactured.
 
At this point, it is impossible to predict when (or even if) a generic version of Humalog Mix50/50 may become available.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;