Eli Lilly Caps Insulin At $35 A Month, Widening Access For Americans

In a bid to make it easier for people with diabetes to access insulin, Eli Lilly has announced a series of price cuts of up to 70% to its insulin products. Furthermore, the company is expanding its Insulin Value Program that caps patient out-of-pocket costs at $35 or less per month.  

Lilly Slashes Branded Insulin Prices by 70%

Lilly will cut the list price of its non-branded Insulin Lispro Injection 100 units/mL to $25 a vial. When the price change takes effect on May 1, 2023, it will be the lowest list-priced mealtime insulin available, costing less than a Humalog vial in 1999. 

The price of Humalog, Lilly’s branded insulin lispro injection and most commonly prescribed insulin, and Humulin (insulin human) injection will be slashed by 70%. The price change will take effect in the fourth quarter of 2023. 

Lilly is also launching Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-algr), an injectable biosimilar to Lantus (insulin glargine) injection. On top of being interchangeable with Lantus, Rezvoglar will cost $92 per five pack of KwikPens, a 78% discount to Lantus. The biosimilar product is expected to be available from April 1, 2023. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 37.3 million Americans —about 1 in 10 — have diabetes. 

“While the current healthcare system provides access to insulin for most people with diabetes, it still does not provide affordable insulin for everyone and that needs to change,” said David A. Ricks, Lilly’s Chair and CEO. “The aggressive price cuts we’re announcing today should make a real difference for Americans with diabetes.”

Related Article: Biden’s New Executive Order Directs HHS to Find Ways to Lower Drug Prices

Lilly Caps Out-Of-Pocket Costs of Insulin at $35

As the cuts will take time for the insurance and pharmacy system to implement, Lilly has moved to cap out-of-pocket costs at $35 at participating retail pharmacies for people with diabetes with commercial insurance using Lilly insulin. 

“We are driving for change in repricing older insulins, but we know that 7 out of 10 Americans don’t use Lilly insulin. We are calling on policymakers, employers and others to join us in making insulin more affordable,” continued Ricks. 

“For the past century, Lilly has focused on inventing new and improved insulins and other medicines that address the impact of diabetes and improve patient outcomes. Our work to discover new and better treatments is far from over. We won’t stop until all people with diabetes are in control of their disease and can get the insulin they need.”

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Joy Lin

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