California partner with drugmaker to produce affordable insulin

California has entered into a partnership with a pharmaceutical company to manufacture and provide affordable insulin to individuals with diabetes in the Golden State.

This collaborative venture, spearheaded by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), is an effort to reduce the cost of insulin for those who need it. The drugmaker, Novo Nordisk, has agreed to provide insulin at a significantly reduced rate for Californians with diabetes who are enrolled in the Medi-Cal health insurance program.

The move comes as part of a broader effort to address the issue of high drug prices across the US. According to DHCS, the agreement is expected to result in significant savings for the state.

“This agreement is an important step in ensuring that Californians with diabetes have access to affordable, quality care,” said DHCS Director Mark Ghaly. He noted that the partnership would allow California to take advantage of the lower cost of insulin produced in a state-run facility.

The agreement is also part of an ongoing effort by California to take on the issue of high drug prices. In 2019, the state passed a law requiring drugmakers to provide price information to state regulators, and in 2020, California became the first state to allow the importation of drugs from Canada.

The agreement between California and Novo Nordisk is expected to go into effect in early 2021. It is unclear how many people will benefit from the deal, but it is estimated that it could save Californians with diabetes millions of dollars.

The agreement is a significant step forward in the effort to make medications more affordable and accessible to those who need them. It is hoped that this deal will be a model for other states looking to reduce drug costs and provide access to vital medications for those who need them.