Some people with diabetes are struggling to fill a common insulin prescription: Sanofi's Lantus SoloStar pen is in short supply, and patients say they've had to search multiple pharmacies to find it.
The affected product is the Lantus SoloStar pen containing 3 milliliters of insulin glargine, a long-acting insulin. A Sanofi spokesperson attributed the constraint to increased demand “driven by broader market dynamics” and described the situation as temporary, saying supply should improve “over the coming weeks.”
Is it an official shortage?
Not formally. The product isn't currently classified as an FDA shortage, even though patients report real difficulty getting it. Reporting also points to broader shifts in the insulin-pen market, with some other pens leaving the market — a backdrop that can concentrate demand on remaining products.
What patients can do
Insulin is not a medication anyone should ration or abruptly stop. If you can't find your usual Lantus pen, contact your pharmacy about availability and timing, and talk to your prescriber about a suitable alternative long-acting insulin if the wait is a problem. Don't switch insulins on your own — dosing can differ. This article is general information, not medical advice.