INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Lilly is offering a half-price version of top-selling insulin in an effort to ease the financial strain imposed on some patients.

The drug maker said Monday it will introduce a version of the diabetes treatment Humalog that will be called Insulin Lispro and come with an initial price 50 percent lower than Humalog’s current rate of about $275 per vial.

The company said it is working to make the insulin available as quickly as possible.

Insulin is the hormone that diabetics lack that is made by the pancreas and helps the body use glucose or sugar for energy.

The average insulin price nearly tripled from 2002 through 2013, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Since then, prices have continued to rise, often by 10 percent or more a year.

Lilly made nearly $3 billion on worldwide sales of Humalog last year.

Drug makers have been the target of protests by patients and the Trump administration for high prices.

Lilly’s Insulin Lispro will sell for a list price of $137.35 per vial or $265.20 for a five pack of Kwik Pens.

A company spokeswoman said the average person uses about two vials a month, and the pack of pens can last a month or more.

Patient advocates say that only a fraction of patients will benefit from the move by Lilly.