How to Help Your Patients Find Basaglar in Stock: A Provider's Guide

When a patient can't find their basal insulin in stock, the consequences can be severe — hyperglycemia, DKA risk, and emergency department visits. And the administrative burden of managing these calls often falls directly on your practice. This guide provides actionable strategies to help your patients find Basaglar (insulin glargine 100 units/mL) faster — and reduce the burden on your front-line staff.

Understanding the Current Supply Situation

Basaglar KwikPens are available nationally — Eli Lilly has confirmed supply continuity in 2026. However, pharmacy-level stockouts are occurring due to demand displacement from the December 2025 discontinuation of Semglee (insulin glargine-yfgn). When millions of Semglee patients suddenly needed alternative products, demand for Basaglar, Lantus, and Rezvoglar surged simultaneously, outpacing some pharmacies' ordering capacity.

Additionally, the Basaglar Tempo Pen is being phased out, with pharmacy availability ending July 27, 2026. Providers who have not already transitioned Tempo Pen patients to KwikPen prescriptions should do so now.

Strategy 1: Direct Patients to medfinder Before Calling Your Office

The most effective way to reduce Basaglar-related call volume to your practice is to send patients to medfinder first. medfinder calls pharmacies in the patient's area to check which ones have the medication in stock, then texts the patient results. Patients who find a pharmacy with stock often resolve the problem without needing a prescription change or office call.

Consider adding a note to your after-visit summary or patient portal messages: 'If your pharmacy is out of Basaglar, use medfinder.com to find a pharmacy near you that can fill it — they call pharmacies on your behalf.'

Strategy 2: Recommend 90-Day Supplies and Mail-Order Pharmacy

For patients who are stable on Basaglar, switching to a 90-day supply through mail-order pharmacy reduces the frequency of fill attempts and provides a larger buffer. Mail-order pharmacies typically carry larger inventories of maintenance medications and are less susceptible to the localized stock gaps affecting retail pharmacies.

When writing the prescription, note '90-day supply' and 'dispense via mail-order pharmacy' if your patient's plan supports it. Have your MA or care coordinator confirm mail-order benefits with the patient's insurer when scheduling the transition.

Strategy 3: Proactively Transition Tempo Pen Patients to KwikPen

Run a report from your EHR to identify patients with active Basaglar Tempo Pen prescriptions. The Tempo Pen is only available through July 27, 2026. Patients who don't transition will find themselves unable to fill their prescription mid-year. Proactive outreach — even a brief letter or portal message — prevents an urgent call in summer 2026.

The transition requires updating the prescription to specify 'Basaglar KwikPen (insulin glargine) 100 units/mL.' No dose adjustment is needed — it is a 1:1 switch. Insulin dose, injection timing, and technique remain the same.

Strategy 4: Pre-Authorize Alternative Products

For patients at high risk of supply disruption — those in areas where pharmacy stock is already constrained — consider simultaneously writing an active prescription for a backup product. The most clinically straightforward backups for Basaglar are:

• Lantus (insulin glargine, U-100): 1:1 dose conversion, same administration. Most formularies cover it.
• Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr, U-100): 1:1 dose conversion; biosimilar interchangeable with Lantus.

Having both prescriptions on file with the pharmacy reduces friction when a patient calls after finding Basaglar out of stock. Document the formulary rationale in the chart to support any prior auth requirements.

Strategy 5: Educate Patients on Early Refills and Buffer Stock

Patients on basal insulin should be counseled to:

• Refill their insulin 7–10 days before running out (within the typical insurance refill window).
• Store one backup pen at home if possible (within expiration and temperature storage requirements — KwikPens in use can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days).
• Call 1-800-545-5979 (Lilly patient support) if they need an emergency supply and cannot fill at any pharmacy.

Managing Prior Authorization When Switching Products

A common complication when switching Basaglar to a backup product is insurance prior authorization. To streamline approvals:

• Document in the chart that the switch is clinically necessary due to unavailability of Basaglar (not a clinical preference).
• Include the specific pharmacy and date that Basaglar was found to be out of stock.
• Reference the ASHP shortage bulletin (last updated March 25, 2026) confirming market disruption.
• Some insurers have expedited prior auth pathways for shortage-related switches — check with the plan directly.

Cost Assistance Resources to Share With Patients

For patients facing cost barriers — whether for Basaglar or an alternative product — share these resources:

• Lilly Insulin Value Cash Savings Card: $35/month cap for Basaglar, no insurance required. insulinaffordability.com
• Lilly Cares Foundation: Free medication for eligible uninsured patients. 1-800-545-5979.
• Sanofi Valyou Savings Program: $35/month for Lantus (if switching); available to uninsured and insured patients.
• Medicare Part D: Insulin capped at $35/month for covered products under 2026 rules.

For the full clinical shortage briefing — including ASHP supply status, interchangeability rules, and formulary management — see our companion article: Basaglar shortage: what providers and prescribers need to know in 2026.