Natalia Chi
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Saturday that the state will begin a 10-year partnership with a pharmaceutical company to make insulin for its residents at a significantly lower cost.
situation schedule To sell insulin at a cost of $30 in 10-milliliter vials, Newsom said at a press conference Saturday near Los Angeles. The product isn’t expected to hit stores until at least next year.
“Thank you for disrupting the market,” Newsom said. “Thank you for not being afraid to fail and saving lives.
Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Back in July 2022, Newsom announced that it had approved a budget of $100 million. Make your own insulin in California.
But many questions remain. The state and Civica have yet to locate a California-based manufacturing facility. Regulatory approval is required. Competitors may lower prices and undercut state products.
This also comes after several major insulin manufacturers recently announced they would also cut prices. Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk said this month they will cut insulin costs by up to 70% and 75%, respectively.
Eli Lilly said it will automatically limit insured out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 and expand its insulin value program.
Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a statewide consumer health care advocacy group, welcomed Newsom’s announcement, saying California’s and others’ efforts to develop a competing generic could benefit insulin manufacturers. He said that it was highly likely that this would be a factor in lowering prices.
Still, there are obstacles.
“The work of developing a generic, getting it approved by the FDA, and starting manufacturing takes real time,” Wright said in an email. Efforts by companies and[pharmacy benefit managers]to include it in their formularies and to get patients and the public to accept and demand it may take longer.”
There may be other risks. State analysts warn that entering the California market could prompt other manufacturers to reduce the availability of their drugs, with unintended consequences. .
Newsom said taxpayers have “very good protection” even with the challenges of entering a competitive and established market.
If for some reason the deal isn’t in the state’s interest, “there are all sorts of provisions that allow withdrawal,” he said.
The proposed program could save many patients $2,000 to $4,000 annually, according to state documents. Additionally, the state buys products for millions of people with publicly funded health insurance each year, so reducing costs can translate into significant savings.
Just days ago, President Biden said his administration was “very” focused on cutting healthcare costs, including putting pressure on pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost of insulin. A law enacted last year capped Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket insulin costs to $35 a month. Biden has proposed extending that cap to all Americans.
California is also exploring the possibility of marketing other drugs, including the overdose drug naloxone. considered an important tool in
“We are not stopping here,” Newsom said.
