When States Step Up: California and the Case for State-Led Insulin Manufacturing

Assessing—and Extending—California’s Insulin Manufacturing Initiative

“…Either way, if successful, California could then distribute its own insulin—tentatively branded as “CalRx Insulin”—through retailers and pharmacies, including mail-order pharmacies, for prices significantly lower than current market prices, which are as high as $300 per vial. A recent study by Socal et al estimated that uninsured patients could save as much as $4000 per year this way. The CalRx facility would likely be operated by California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information, although further details—including the location of the facility, type of insulin to be developed (eg, rapid-acting or long-acting), and possible contractors—have yet to be determined.…”

Estimating Changes in Medicare Part D and Commercial Insurer Insulin Spending Amid Planned State-Led Biosimilar Insulin Production in California

“…To foster insulin affordability, California’s governor announced a plan to produce and sell biosimilar insulin at transparent prices that are close to production cost and not inflated by rebates . While state payers can help create a market for state-led biosimilars in California, commercial insurer and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP) participation is voluntary. This cross-sectional study estimated savings to California commercial insurers and Medicare PDPs from purchasing state-led biosimilars.…”