California to Begin Producing Affordable Insulin

Earlier this week California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state has entered into a contract with nonprofit drug producer Civica Rx to begin providing affordable insulin to those in need.

The 10-year contract stipulates that, in partnership with the state, Civica will begin producing CalRx insulin this year.

CalRx will provide three different forms of insulin including glargine, lispro and aspart, and it will cost no more than $30 for each 10 milliliter vial or $55 (or less) for a box of five pen cartridges filled with the medicine. People can purchase the insulin regardless of whether or not they have insurance and it will be available across the country as well.

There’s a new federal cap on insulin which has been set at $35 for Medicare recipients and seniors. However, California’s new program access to affordable insulin with a much wider reach.

Why couldn’t this have been happening all along?