California announces CalRx insulin to sell long-acting insulin at $55 retail starting Jan. 1

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced at Cedars-Sinai on Oct. 26 that California will make a long-acting insulin, insulin glargine (a biosimilar interchangeable with Lantus), available under the state-backed CalRx brand at pharmacies and by direct mail starting Jan. 1.

The announcement, made alongside Civica Rx executives, patient advocates and California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson, frames the CalRx insulin rollout as part of a broader state effort to lower prices for essential medicines. "January 1, we will be the first state to provide...lower cost insulin available to anyone and everyone at pharmacies and direct mail pharmacies all throughout the state of California. $11 per pen, $55, for a month's supply of this long lasting insulin," Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

Alan Cucko, identified in the event as chief government affairs and public policy officer of Civica Rx, said the product will be labeled CalRx in California and Civica insulin elsewhere. "Insulin should never be out of reach for those who need it," Cucko said,…