Diabetics bemoan end of human insulins

Physicians are finding most patients can make the transition to new forms, but some express concern about safety, cost and loss of choice.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. March 13, 2006.

When William C. Biggs, MD, an endocrinologist in Amarillo, Texas, found out last summer that the last of the available human insulins would be phased out by 2005's end, he transitioned the dozen or so diabetic patients he had still using those therapies to other forms.

But not everyone was willing.

"I can, for most of these people, find an acceptable alternative," Dr. Biggs said. "For the very small subset of patients who did better with these insulins, the loss is a problem. They are hoarding as much as they can and picking it up wherever they can."

Other companies had withdrawn their versions of these insulins years before. The market exit of Eli Lilly's Humulin L Lente and Humulin U Ultralente human insulins, along with two versions of pork insulin, effectively ended the era of human and animal insulins. (See clarification)

To be fair, patients have other options, and Eli Lilly gave a six-month notice of the impending withdrawal, both in the form of package labeling and letters to physicians. The withdrawal approach was in line with American Medical Association policy. And, according to the company, out of the 6 million diabetics nationwide who take insulin, only about 66,000 used these human versions; 2,000 were on the animal form.

"We have been working with physicians and nurses and others to help patients transition to the newer therapies and achieve better blood sugar control," said Eli Lilly spokesman Scott MacGregor.