A recent article in the Wall Street Journal revealed a world-wide shortage of one of Sanofi’s short-acting insulin products called, the Apidra solostar pen. The reason for the drug’s shortage has been linked to “technical problems” at the company’s Frankfurt, Germany manufacturing plant.
According to the letter Sanofi sent to doctors, which was also posted to the FDA’s website on Wednesday, the company said it is in the process of fixing the problem and expects full production of the Apidra solostar pen to resume in the first quarter of 2012.
For those using the pen in the U.S., the product may cease to be available as early as the end of October. Sanofi said that doctors can switch patients who are currently using the pen to the Apirda vials and syringes, without having to make any adjustments in dosage.