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Key takeaways
Semglee is a branded insulin glargine-yfn product that is an interchangeable biosimilar drug to Lantus.
The maker of Semglee also produces an unbranded insulin glargine-yfgn that may offer even more cost savings for individuals.
Work with your prescriber and other healthcare professionals to determine the most cost-effective insulin therapy for you. Be sure to take advantage of significant savings opportunities available from SingleCare.
Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) is a prescription-only, brand-name, long-acting insulin indicated for the treatment of both Type 1 diabetes mellitus as well as Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus, simply put, is the body’s inability to control your blood sugar levels. Semglee may also be used in gestational diabetes or diabetes that was present before becoming pregnant. Semglee is available in prefilled insulin pens for subcutaneous injection and in a vial. The list price for Semglee without insurance can cost over $110 per 3 mL pen of 100 unit/ mL solution. While there are no over-the-counter equivalents to Semglee, there are ways to save and make your insulin therapy more affordable if uninsured.
What is the generic for Semglee?
Semglee is produced by Biocon Biologics with Viatris (previously Mylan) and is considered an interchangeable biosimilar drug to Sanofi’s first branded insulin glargine, Lantus, While not technically considered a generic to Lantus, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that there is enough evidence to demonstrate that it can be substituted for the branded product Lantus because clinical results would be similar to that of Lantus in any given patient. Other insulin glargine products available on the market include Basaglar, Lantus, and Toujeo.
Remember, only your healthcare provider can determine which type of insulin therapy is appropriate and which one is needed.
Is Semglee covered by insurance?
Semglee has been present in the U.S. market for a few years, launching in late 2021. It has been adopted into the formularies of some commercial and medicare drug plans. The presence or extent of Semglee insurance coverage may vary from insurance plan to insurance plan. Other insulin glargine products are on the market, and insurance companies have each taken a different stance on which ones to include in their formularies. When discussing insulin therapy with your prescriber, it is best to know your plan’s formulary to make the most cost-effective decision for you.
It is also important to note that if you receive your insulin through a pump, your insulin is likely covered under your Medicare Part B benefit, not the drug benefit. Insulin pump use is more common in Type 1 diabetes. With Medicare, you should not be responsible for a deductible with insulin, and your out-of-pocket costs for covered insulins should not exceed $35. Each Medicare plan administrator determines which insulins are covered under their plan.
Semglee copays with commercial insurance can vary greatly between plans, and the price is subject to deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and copays. The Semglee manufacturer may offer some savings assistance for commercially insured patients.
It is important to note that supportive diabetes supplies such as needles, syringes, test strips, lancets, alcohol swabs, and glucose monitors represent an additional cost to diabetic patients.
How much does Semglee cost without insurance?
Semglee is available in a box of 5 pens of 3 mL containing 100 units/ mL. The cost of one box with no insurance is averaging over $550. Depending on your dosage, you may need multiple boxes per month to adequately control your diabetes. Prices may vary between pharmacies, and it is important to shop around when you don’t have insurance. The unbranded insulin glargine-yfgn, may present a significant savings opportunity for some, with the cost being around $100 per box of 5 pens.
RELATED: Lantus Solostar alternatives: What can I take instead of Lantus Solostar?
Compare Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Semglee | $110 per 1, 3 mL 100 unit/mL pen | $18 per 1, 3 mL 100 unit/mL pen of brand-name Semglee | See latest prices |
| Generic Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn) | $55 per 3, 3 mL of 100 unit/mL pens | $18 per 3, 3 mL of 100 unit mL pen of generic insulin glargine-yfgn | See latest prices |
| Lantus | $370 per 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL vial | $67 per 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL vial of brand-name Lantus | See latest prices |
| Tresiba | $457 per 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL vial | $121 per 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL vial of brand-name Tresiba | See latest prices |
| Levemir
(insulin detemir) |
$364 per 1, 10 mL of 100 unit/mL vial | $111 per 10 mL of 100 unit/mL vial of brand-name Levemir | See latest prices |
| Toujeo Solostar | $201 per 1, 1.5 mL of 300 unit/mL pen | $178 per 1, 1.5 mL of 300 unit/mL pen of brand-name Toujeo Solostar | See latest prices |
| Xultophy | $308 per 1, 3 mL of 100-3.6 unit/mg/mL pen | $233 per 1, 3 mL of 100-3.6 unit/mg/mL pen | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
How to get Semglee without insurance
Navigating the vast range of insulin prices and products can be challenging and take a significant amount of time. Thankfully, there are ways to obtain Semglee and other insulin products at significantly less than the average retail price. Pharmaceutical companies like Biocon Biologics make some savings programs available, but eligibility varies, and they do not apply to everyone. Below are dependable ways to lower your monthly prescription costs and save on insulin, such as Semglee. Remember, this is not medical advice. Your healthcare provider will help you make the best decision in balancing cost and effectiveness.
- Use a SingleCare discount card: Using a SingleCare discount card can help you save up to 80% on many prescription medications, including Semglee. A SingleCare coupon can help lower the average retail price of Semglee from $550 to $425 per box.
- Try the generic formulation: Take advantage of the unbranded insulin glargine-yfgn produced by the same manufacturer, Biocon Biologics. This product can offer significant savings from other insulin glargine products like Lantus or Semglee. Choosing the unbranded insulin glargine-yfgn made by the same manufacturer brings your cost down to less than $100 per box with your free SingleCare savings card.
- Compare pharmacy prices: Not all pharmacies have the same cost structure and retail prices for insulins. Shopping around can pay off, and the SingleCare website will help you locate the nearest pharmacy with the lowest cost.
- Research patient assistance programs: See if you qualify for patient assistance programs from the manufacturer or other sources.
- Consider subsidized health insurance: Check enrollment information with your state’s Medicaid or Medicare website to see if you are eligible.
Sources
- SEMGLEE – (insulin glargine-yfgn) injection, Semglee.com (2024)
- FDA Approves First Interchangeable Biosimilar Insulin Product for Treatment of Diabetes, FDA.gov (2021)
- Payer Controls Limiting Semglee Uptake Despite Patient Demand, AJMC (2023)
- Insulin Coverage, Medicare.gov (2024)
