California To Make Its Own Insulin

A vial of insulin cost $25 in 1995, today, that same vial of insulin costs more than $300. Millions in California (and the nation), cannot live without it. Many Americans pay out-of-pocket costs of between $300 to $500 a month for this lifesaving drug.

The problem is a U.S. health care system, held hostage by lobbyists, who advocate for companies that monopolize and maximize profits. It has also become a political issue, with the GOP opposing attempts to reform healthcare.

California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, ran on a platform that put healthcare reform at the center of his campaign, and he's delivering.

California, last month, approved $100 million for the project, with $50 million dedicated to developing three types of insulin and the rest set aside to invest in a manufacturing facility that will strengthen the local supply chain while also creating jobs in the state.

Newsom was reportedly working with Civica. The latter announced plans, last March, to. manufacture and distribute generic versions of three insulin variants, for no more than $30 per vial, and $55 for a box of 5 pen cartridges.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Carla · 61-69, F

Will this help to break the nationwide vice these companies have clamped on people with medicinal needs?

bijouxbroussard · F

@Carla One can only hope. It’s ridiculous the way the GOP and Pharma are almost literally holding people’s lives for ransom. I’m a non-insulin dependent diabetic, but as the disease progresses, that’s likely to change, and then I’ll be in the same spot. 😞

Carla · 61-69, F

@bijouxbroussard i love this though.
If other states follow, with other meds.
I use breathing meds. A one month supply for my two scripts are close to a thousand dollars...per month. I have insurance, so i pay around one hundred. But still. Those companies are getting that from those that do not have insurance. Well. Probably not. They just dont get them.
Btw...my homeowners insurance went up about 40% this year. No outside improvements to gig me for. Wonder why that is?

SW-User

@Carla maybe the power grid should be taken out of the private sector's hands too ... it's scary that PG&E can't bury its fire-starting power lines but is also likely about to be allowed to extend the operating life of its seaside Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, presumably without any expensive seismic upgrades even though it's adjacent to four active faults, nor with any cooling system that does not impact marine life

Carla · 61-69, F

@SW-User prisons too.
Breaking monopolies. Break enough and maybe things change a little.

SW-User

@Carla and I think a public sector not-for-profit monopoly would be preferable to a private sector for-profit monopoly

Northwest · M

@Carla

Will this help to break the nationwide vice these companies have clamped on people with medicinal needs?

One of Newsom's stated goals, is to use this as a pilot demonstrating what could be done at the national level, and at a wider scale. The new bill signed by the President, moves us in the right direction, but due to all the backroom deals that had to be made, the bill will not take effect until 2026! Unfortunately, this had to be done, because the 8 senators from Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana, with a tiny fraction of the US population, can and do, hold up the process, forcing shady deals with Manchin and otheres.

Northwest · M

@Carla

If other states follow, with other meds.

I expect our state and Oregon to join. The Western Wall.

Northwest · M

@SW-User

maybe the power grid should be taken out of the private sector's hands too

It's a mixed bag today. Some states have what's called PUDs (Power Utility Districts) that control power generation, and that's sold to private companies. Louisiana takes it to another level with more government control.

I am weary of government control, but there could be a middle ground, like the Washington State model.