Insulin was discovered over a century ago, yet for millions of Americans, affording it has remained a daily struggle. A tangle of list prices, insurance rebates, and pharmacy benefit managers has kept costs unpredictable, often leaving uninsured patients paying $300 or more per vial. While recent legislation capped insulin at $35 a month for Medicare recipients, that relief never extended to everyone. A nonprofit pharmaceutical company, Civica Rx, is working to change that by manufacturing biosimilar insulin at fully transparent prices, with a long-acting option priced at $55 for five pens and rapid-acting insulins at $30 per vial, regardless of wether someone has insurance or not.

The effort is made possible through a landmark partnership with the state of California, which contributed $50 million toward the estimated $200 million needed to bring three insulins through FDA approval and to market. Other states, philanthropic donors, health systems, and diabetes organizations have joined the funding effort as well. The resulting products will be sold nationally, with California branding them under the CalRx label. The same model is already being applied beyond insulin, with drugs for prostate cancer, Crohn's disease, and psoriatic arthritis now available at prices up to 90% below typical market rates.

In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Allan Coukell, Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer at Civica Rx, to explain how pharmaceutical pricing works, why insulin costs spiraled for so long, and how a nonprofit manufacturer is able to reshape what drug affordability can look like. Listen above or watch below.

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Disclaimer: Diabetech content is not medical advice—it’s for educational purposes only. Always consult with a physician before making changes to your healthcare.