Generic Humalog Mix75/25

Generic Humalog Mix75/25: An Overview

Humalog^® Mix75/25 (insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro) is a prescription diabetes medication. It contains a mixture of 25 percent insulin lispro (a rapid-acting insulin) and 75 percent insulin lispro protamine (an intermediate-acting insulin). It is taken just before meals, typically twice a day.

 

This medication is made by Eli Lilly and Company. At this time, there are no generic versions of Humalog Mix75/25 (or any other insulin medication) available. There are other insulin mixtures available, but none of them are equivalent to Humalog Mix75/25, and none of them are generic medications.

 

Obstacles to Generic Humalog Mix75/25

There are at least two major obstacles preventing generic Humalog Mix75/25 from becoming available. Like all insulins, Humalog Mix75/25 is considered a "biologic" medication. As a result, it is regulated by different rules and laws than most other medications. At this point, generic biologics 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.

 

Also, this medication is protected by several unexpired patents that prevent any generic Humalog Mix75/25 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 Humalog Mix75/25 would need to expire before generic versions could become available.

 

At this point, it is impossible to predict when (or even if) a generic version of Humalog Mix75/25 may ever be produced.