There are currently no generic Humalog (insulin lispro) products licensed for sale. Since Humalog is a biologic medication, it is under different laws than most other drugs. These laws prevent any generic versions of biologics to be manufactured in the United States. Even if these laws did not exist, however, a generic Humalog product could not be produced until May 2013, when the medicine's patent expires.
Generic Humalog: An Overview
Humalog is made by Eli Lilly and Company. At this time, no generic versions of Humalog (or any other insulins) are available.
Why Isn't Generic Humalog Available?
There are at least two major obstacles preventing generic Humalog from becoming available. First, Humalog is considered a "biologic" medication and is under different rules and laws than most other medications. At this point, generic biologics, including generic Humalog, are not allowed to be manufactured in the United States. Currently, legislation is under way that may change the laws concerning generic biologics (including insulin), but it is not clear when (or even if) this may happen.
Second, Humalog is protected by unexpired patents, the first of which is currently set to expire in May 2013. Even if the laws change and allow generic versions of insulins, generic Humalog would not be expected to become available until 2013 at the earliest.
Is Insulin Lispro the Same as Generic Humalog?
No -- insulin lispro is the active ingredient in Humalog, but is not a generic version of it.
What can be confusing is that, oftentimes, the active ingredient of a drug is referred to as the "generic name." The generic name is different from a generic version of a medicine. In order for there to be a generic version of a medicine, the original medicine must have gone off-patent and another company besides the original manufacturer must make the product.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print