Cost of Basaglar (Insulin Glargine) in the United States
Based on the most recent data from 2023-2024, Basaglar (insulin glargine) costs approximately $95-$118 per 1,000 units for vials and $74-$190 per 1,000 units for prefilled pens in the United States. 1
Pricing Details for Basaglar (Insulin Glargine Biosimilar/Follow-on Product)
- The median Average Wholesale Price (AWP) for Basaglar U-100 vials is approximately $118 per 1,000 units 1
- The median National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) for Basaglar U-100 vials is approximately $95 per 1,000 units 1
- For prefilled pens, the median AWP ranges from $74 to $323, with an average of about $190 per 1,000 units 1
- Real-world cost estimates from 2020 showed monthly acquisition costs of approximately $286-$290 for Basaglar compared to $341-$351 for Lantus (original insulin glargine) 2
Cost Comparison with Other Insulin Products
- Basaglar is generally less expensive than the original insulin glargine (Lantus), with potential monthly savings of approximately $55-61 per patient 2
- Compared to other long-acting insulins:
- Insulin detemir (Levemir): $370 per 1,000 units (significantly more expensive) 1
- Insulin degludec (Tresiba): $85-$142 per 1,000 units for generic versions 1
- Original insulin glargine (Lantus): $136 per 1,000 units for generic versions 1
- Concentrated insulin glargine U-300 (Toujeo): $363 per 1,000 units 1
Factors Affecting Cost
- Dosage form: Prefilled pens typically cost more than vials 1
- Insurance coverage: Out-of-pocket costs vary significantly based on insurance plans 1
- Dosing requirements: The average daily dose for patients with type 2 diabetes is approximately 0.5-0.6 units/kg/day, which affects total monthly cost 2, 3
- Pharmacy selection: Some pharmacies (like Walmart) offer human insulins at significantly lower prices (approximately $25/vial) 1
Cost-Saving Considerations
- Switching from Lantus to Basaglar has been shown to provide similar glycemic outcomes while reducing costs by approximately 15-19% 2, 4
- Most patients require similar insulin doses when converting from other basal insulins to Basaglar, though some studies show a slight increase in dosing requirements for type 2 diabetes patients (34.6 to 37.6 units/day) 3
- Healthcare systems may realize significant cost savings through formulary conversion to Basaglar, with potential savings in the millions of dollars for large systems 4
Clinical Considerations When Evaluating Cost
- When switching to Basaglar from other basal insulins, close monitoring of blood glucose is recommended as some patients may require slight dose adjustments 3
- Studies show no significant difference in hemoglobin A1C outcomes when switching from Lantus to Basaglar 2, 4
- The cost of insulin therapy should be considered alongside other diabetes management costs, including blood glucose monitoring supplies and insulin administration devices 1