Walmart, Lilly Team Up to Provide Human Insulin to People With Diabetes

INDIANAPOLIS and BENTONVILLE, Ark., June 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Walmart (NYSE: WMT) and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today they're teaming up to provide an affordable insulin option for people with diabetes.  

Beginning in mid-September, Lilly's Humulin® brand of insulin will be available in Walmart pharmacies across the U.S. under the dual-branded name Humulin® ReliOn®, including 10 mL vials of Humulin® R U-100, Humulin® N, and Humulin® 70/30 formulations.

Nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, up from 21 million in 2005, according to the American Diabetes Association. Of those, about a quarter (27 percent) use insulin to manage blood sugar levels.(1)

"With diabetes reaching epidemic proportions in America, it's more important than ever for participants in the healthcare system to work together to provide solutions to help people successfully manage this condition," said Keith Johns, Lilly's senior director for insulins in the U.S. "At Lilly, we strive to provide innovative, cost-effective therapies that help patients manage their diabetes. And as the nation's largest retailer, Walmart touches more consumers than any other retail organization in the country. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to provide a low-cost therapy to large numbers of people affected by diabetes."

Walmart has been a leader in providing quality, low-cost healthcare products to patients, pioneering and expanding access to affordable medications.

Along with Humulin® ReliOn® insulin, Walmart also offers $9 diabetes management products, including the ReliOn Ultima Blood Glucose Meter, the ReliOn Ultima Blood Glucose Test Strips (20 ct) and the ReliOn A1c test (glycated hemoglobin).

"Our ReliOn diabetes management products offer customers access to quality, affordable products that allow our customers to save money and live better, healthier lives," said Sandy Kinsey, Walmart's Vice President, Pharmacy Merchandising, Health and Wellness. "With this new offering of Humulin ReliOn insulin, Walmart underscores our commitment to helping people affected by diabetes manage their healthcare needs."

Humulin is the world's first synthetic human insulin. Its introduction by Lilly in 1982 revolutionized the treatment of diabetes by providing a biosynthetic version of human insulin, a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar but is diminished or absent in people with diabetes.

Humulin Safety Information

Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under medical supervision. Changes in strength, manufacturer, type, species, or method of manufacture may result in the need for a change in dosage.

About Lilly Diabetes

For more than 85 years, Eli Lilly and Company has been a worldwide leader in pioneering industry-leading solutions to support people living with and treating diabetes. Lilly introduced the world's first commercial insulin in 1923, and remains at the forefront of medical and delivery device innovation to manage diabetes. Lilly is also committed to providing solutions beyond therapy – practical tools, education, and support programs to help overcome barriers to success along the diabetes journey. At Lilly, the journey of each person living with or treating diabetes inspires ours. For more information, visit www.lilly.com.

About Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company, a leading innovation-driven company, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information – for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

About Walmart

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), or "Walmart," serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 8,400 retail units under 55 different banners in 15 countries. With fiscal year 2010 sales of $405 billion, Walmart employs more than 2 million associates worldwide. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity, Walmart ranked first among retailers in Fortune Magazine's 2009 Most Admired Companies survey. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Walmartnews.  Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com.

Humulin® is a trademark of Eli Lilly and Company.

Other trademarked names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

References

(1) Centers for Disease Control, National Diabetes Fact Sheet,  

http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2007.pdf  

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SOURCE Eli Lilly and Company