FDA approves use of biosimilar insulin as automatic substitute for costly brand-name

U.S. regulators took action Wednesday that should make it easier to get a cheaper near-copy of a brand-name insulin at the drugstore.

Doctors must now prescribe what's called a biosimilar drug, or OK its use as a substitution for a more expensive brand-name insulin. The Food and Drug Administration has given its approval to Semglee, the first biosimilar cleared as a substitute for Lantus, a widely used fast-acting insulin.