Updates from Lilly about insulin supply and affordability

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Mar 24, 2020, 08:00 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, March 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- To keep the diabetes community informed about important developments from the COVID-19 crisis, Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today is providing updates related to insulin supply and affordability:

As we announced on March 3, Lilly does not currently anticipate shortages for any of our medicines, including all forms of insulin. Lilly is committed to manufacturing medicines that meet global safety, quality, value and environmental expectations. With the help of a large network of global external manufacturing partners we supply medication to nearly 125 countries. Lilly is committed to public health and the needs of people with chronic conditions who depend on our medicines around the world.

Since the initial outbreak, Lilly has closely monitored our supply chain for potential impact to the supply of our medicines around the world. We continue to monitor the situation, and our insulin manufacturing sites in the U.S. and Europe remain operational, with increased precautions in place to protect the supply of medicine and the welfare of our employees. Lilly does not source active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for any of our approved medicines from China.

U.S. pharmacies that temporarily don't have Lilly medicines in stock due to higher demand can order them from wholesalers, and generally they can be delivered in 1 to 2 days. Lilly has received a few reports of U.S. pharmacies stating that insulin orders are not being fulfilled due to "manufacturer backorder." Lilly has informed wholesalers and others in the supply chain that we do not have any products on backorder, including insulin. Patients should ask their pharmacist to secure an order from their wholesaler.

With many individuals financially affected by the COVID-19 crisis, Lilly wants to remind people of cost-saving options for insulin, especially for those with no or limited income. Anyone who has lost employment and uses Lilly insulin should call the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center at (833) 808-1234 to learn about options that include access to free insulin that has been donated for people with lower incomes. For people with an urgent need for insulin and nowhere else to turn, the Solution Center can help provide immediate help. The Solution Center is open 9 am to 8 pm ET Monday through Friday.

"COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge for all of us, but Lilly has planned for such events," said Mike Mason, president, Lilly Diabetes. "Our manufacturing facilities, supply chain, and Lilly Diabetes Solution Center are designed to support those who rely on insulin. We are committed to providing a regular supply of safe insulin, and our Solution Center can provide real insulin affordability assistance for people during this difficult time, including people whose jobs have gone away. If you need help, please call the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center."

About Diabetes
Approximately 34 million Americans¹ (just over 1 in 10) and an estimated 463 million adults worldwide² have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type internationally, accounting for an estimated 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases in the United States alone¹. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body does not properly produce or use the hormone insulin.

About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research, collaboration and quality manufacturing we strive to make life better for people affected by diabetes and related conditions. We work to deliver breakthrough outcomes through innovative solutions—from medicines and technologies to support programs and more. For the latest updates, visit lillydiabetes.com/ or follow us on Twitter: @LillyDiabetes and Facebook: LillyDiabetesUS.

About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at lilly.com and lilly.com/newsroom. P-LLY

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding product supply, assistance for people living with diabetes, and COVID-19. These statements are based on management's current expectations, but actual results may differ materially. Other risk factors that may affect the company's results can be found in the company's latest Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements.

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; 2020.

² International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 9^th edn. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2019. Available at: http://diabetesatlas.org.

Refer to:
Greg Kueterman [email protected]; 317-432-5195 (Lilly Diabetes)
Kevin Hern; [email protected]; 317-277-1838 (Investors)

SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company