Sanofi’s second brand of insulin glargine on the PBS

Pharma News: Sanofi’s Lantus (Insulin glargine U100) is a vital treatment for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Changes have been made from 1 July 2020 to the PBS listings for insulin glargine, as the brands Lantus and Lantus SoloStar are no longer available on the PBS.

Lantus was delisted due to biosimilar insulins arriving in Australia. Alphapharm’s Semglee was listed on the PBS in October 2019. It is not the first biosimilar insulin glargine on the Australian market. Back in 2015, Abasria was approved by the TGA which marketed by Eli Lilly and available as a private script only.

Sanofi’s OPTISULIN is the same formulation as Lantus and is available in the same familiar presentations and devices, including the SoloStar pre-filled device and cartridges for use in either AllStar Pro and JuniorStar reusable pens. It requires no dose adjustment when transitioning from Lantus and patients transitioning to OPTISULIN should continue to administer their dose at the same time of the day and monitor their blood glucose levels as directed by their treating clinician.

There is also the option for clinicians to move patient to a second generation basal insulin. Sanofi’s Toujeo (insulin glargine U300 or GLA-300) may be a an alternate option to consider with a simple initiation regimen and a reduced risk of hypoglycaemia.