California takes on pharma giants with plans to sell its own insulin

[lostincalifornia]

After a three-year effort, California will start selling low-cost insulin pens this January, the first such move by a state to circumvent the pharmaceutical industry and combat diabetes.

A pack of five pens will be made available for $55 through the CalRx program, which was initiated five years ago by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to bring less expensive medicines to state residents. The program contracts with companies to make generic drugs and, in this instance, Civica Rx, a nonprofit, will provide the pens through an arrangement with a manufacturer.

“California didn’t wait for the pharmaceutical industry to do the right thing. We took matters into our own hands,” Newsom said in announcing the availability of the pens. “… No Californian should ever have to ration insulin or go into debt to stay alive — and I won’t stop until health care costs are crushed for everyone.”

The move reflects growing frustration among states battling high drug costs, an issue that has vexed federal lawmakers for years. Although Medicare can negotiate prices for certain widely used medicines, the number of drugs for which it can do so is relatively small, prompting some states to attempt their own fixes, including with affordability boards that set payment limits.

https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2025/10/17/insulin-california-generics-diabetes-medicines-sanofi/

[SWBTATTReg]

1. Ah, about time, I guess. Probably a lot of regulatory issues, the mechanics of setting up such a program,

etc. I hope other states join Calif. in this significant attempt to branch out into providing medical services / etc., being that so many of the current medical services etc. have been seized by the ultra-rich to markup even higher in prices to make a few more dollars, a particular ugly trait of capitalism.