Table 1

Estimated prices for insulins

CompoundPrice of API per kilogram (US$)Typical dose per day* (mg)API cost per day (US$)Estimated cost of production for 10 mL (1000 units) phial (US$)Estimated price for 10 mL (1000 units) phial (US$)Estimated price per year (US$)*
Regular human insulin24 7501.400.032.28–3.373.29–4.8648–71
Insulin NPH23 2821.560.042.32–3.423.35–4.9349–72
Glargine68 7571.460.103.69–5.135.32–7.3878–108
Lispro100 0001.400.144.52–6.166.51–8.8795–130
Aspart100 0001.400.144.51–6.166.50–8.8695–129
Glulisine100 0001.400.144.47–6.116.44–8.8094–128
Detemir100 0005.680.5713.47–17.3519.40–24.99283–365
Degludec100 0001.460.154.66–6.346.71–9.1398–133
  • *Assuming 40 units used per patient per day.

  • API, active pharmaceutical ingredient; NPH, neutral protamine Hagedorn.