Novo Nordisk has announced the availability of its newest prefilled insulin delivery device Levemir® FlexTouch® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) in the United States. This device represents an advancement in insulin delivery and is based on years of feedback from endocrinologists, certified diabetes educators, primary care physicians and other health care professionals, providing a new way patients with diabetes can administer their insulin.
When a dose is dialed with traditional prefilled insulin pens, the push button extends, and at larger doses this may present delivery challenges for the patient. Levemir® FlexTouch® is the first and only prefilled insulin delivery device with no push-button extension. Due to the unique dosing mechanism of FlexTouch®, the push button does not extend at any dose and allows insulin to be administered by pressing the low injection force button.
"The features of FlexTouch® were designed to help patients administer their insulin," said Michael Shannon, MD, Chair of Endocrinology and Diabetes Clinical Advancement, Providence Health and Services. "The reduced reach and low injection force button are both advancements in improving the insulin delivery experience."
FlexTouch® is the latest insulin delivery system to be offered by Novo Nordisk and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in November 2013 and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in July 2011. The device has also launched in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, and Japan.
"At Novo Nordisk, we are committed to developing devices to help the more than 29 million people with diabetes in the United States," said Camille Lee, senior vice president, Diabetes Marketing, Novo Nordisk, Inc. "Levemir® FlexTouch® was designed to address the needs of these individuals, providing patients and their health care professionals with a new tool to help improve the way they manage their diabetes."
Levemir® FlexTouch® is available on more than 96% of Commercial and Medicare Part D plans nationwide, including exclusive Tier 1 status on UnitedHealthcare and preferred status on Coventry.