It’s been a very busy time in insulin affordability. The $35 insulin cap for Medicare Part D went into effect at the beginning of 2023. In the last few weeks, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi all announced reductions to the cost of their insulins. And Civica Insulin Project is on track to produce the first of three biosimilar insulins, starting next year, for $30 per vial and $55 for a box of five pens–and Civica will be serving as the insulin manufacturer for California’s CalRx Biosimilar Insulin Initiative.

This is a big deal.

It’s a win for insulin affordability, the T1D community, and a testament to your years of work to bring attention to this issue. We are seeing real progress through action taken by government, health plans, and insulin manufacturers. This could not have happened without your constant advocacy. Thank you.

Here’s a summary of the recent changes announced by the three major insulin manufacturers, when they go into effect, and how much these insulins will cost.

Lilly

• Effective March 1, Lilly capped monthly costs at $35/month for all Lilly insulins at participating pharmacies for individuals with commercial insurance. Individuals without commercial insurance and those who go to a non-participating pharmacy can use the savings card for the $35/month cap. 
• Rezvoglar, a soon-to-be-launched interchangeable biosimilar to Lantus will be $92 per pack of five pens, starting on April 1, 2023
• Humalog list price will be reduced by 70% in Q4, 2023
• Insulin lispro (generic Humalog) will be available for $25 a vial beginning on May 1, 2023

Novo Nordisk

• Novo Nordisk is reducing the list prices of Novolog, Novolog 70/30, Levemir and Novolin by up to 75% on January 1, 2024
• The unbranded versions of Novolog and Novolog 70/30 will also have their list prices lowered to match the branded products
• Novo Nordisk will still provide co-pay assistance which is available to people with commercial using a savings card
• For people without insurance, a 30-day supply of any combination of Novo products (up to 3 vials or 2 packs of pens, 5 pens per pack) is available for $99 per month

Sanofi

• Sanofi is reducing the list price of Lantus by 78% on January 1, 2024
• Out of pocket costs for people with commercial insurance will be no more than $35/month at participating pharmacies or with a savings card beginning on January 1, 2024

Civica Insulin Project Continues Forward

Civica is continuing with their plan to offer biosimilar insulins of Humalog, Novolog, and Lantus at no more than $30 per vial and $55 per box of five pens. We are expecting the first Civica insulin to launch in 2024. Additionally, Civica announced a partnership with the state of California to serve as the insulin manufacturing partner for the state’s CalRx Biosimilar Insulin Initiative.

This project is as important as ever and will help with insulin affordability. It will ensure broad access to insulin at low, transparent, and consistent out-of-pocket cost no matter what. We are also hopeful that it will disrupt the current rebate system that distorts the insulin market and rewards higher list prices.

What Comes Next?

JDRF is encouraged by the recent momentum in the ongoing fight for insulin affordability. The recent steps taken by the leading insulin manufacturers add to this momentum and will make it easier for people to afford insulin.

But our work is not done.

We will continue our efforts with all stakeholders, including policy makers, and continue to support efforts like Civica to ensure insulin is accessible and affordable to all who depend on it.

JDRF will continue our work with Congress to enact a commercial insurance insulin co-pay cap and additional policies to ensure insulin is affordable for everyone, regardless of insurance status. We will need your help to gather support on Capitol Hill as we move forward so please sign up to be an advocate, if you are not already, and take action on our alerts.

If you need more information on help with costs, please visit our Help With Costs guide.