http://www.politico.com/news/2...&utm_source=flipboard

>> SACRAMENTO, California - California will start selling low-cost insulin in January, becoming the first state in the nation to bypass Big Pharma with its own supply of the expensive diabetes drug and marking a notable win in Gov. Gavin Newsom's push to rein in health care costs with state-branded drugs.
The insulin pens will be supplied through the CalRx program, an initiative launched under Newsom in which the state contracts with manufacturers to produce generic pharmaceuticals. The pens, which people with diabetes use to control the level of insulin in their bodies, will be the same as other long-acting insulin on the market. They will come with a suggested price for consumers of no more than $55 for a pack of five - a significant discount from current prices...<<

This is, in my opinion, the highest and best use of government, preventing a global monopoly to gauge patients without consequence or conscience. I wonder how much money they tried to offer Newsom to look the other way? How much would they have contributed to his presidential campaign?

-------------------------

"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

What?!? CalRx beating TrumpRx to the punch???

-------------------------
add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

I forgot about Trumps signature prescription policy. It's the same except it doesn't do anything, it relies upon one company to discount a few drugs and parades as progress.

-------------------------

"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

It will be nice to have an intelligent president again.

-------------------------
I was right.

You should be honored, JB. I only get a few posts before I am thrown out of here again and I am choosing your post to respond to. Yes, Ca. is different. There is definitely a reason why people and companies are fleeing from the place to normal places. I am sure this will give those folks on the fence another reason to do so. This might or might not work out well for those with diabetes but it won't for Ca. taxpayers. Do you know why there aren't boatloads of generic insulin around now despite the patents begining to expire over a decade ago? Of course you don't. Turns out that insulin is a biologic and it is complicated and expensive to copy and produce a biologic. It costs almost the same amount to produce a generic (or, to be accurate, a biosimilar) insulin as what it costs the big boys that are selling insulin now. So, no profit motive to make a biosimilar version. Sure, there are some startups trying to come up with cheaper insulin, but they have not done it yet. Moreover, prices have dropped about 50% in the last 5 years. In other words, JB, this is typical Newsom propaganda, which will cost Californians a pretty penny.

-------------------------
I :heart; Q

Blah, blah, blah.

California has the 4th largest economy in the world. They also send more money back to the federal government than all Red states combined.

-------------------------
I was right.

Edited: 10/16/2025 at 03:47 PM by Cole

Biosimilars are one of the largest reasons insulin prices have dropped in the last few years. Here's the Blue Cross / Blue Shield announcement of the upcoming $55 price capped biosimilar. https://www.bcbs.com/news-and-...-of-lower-cost-insulin

-------------------------
add a signature since I'm here in profile anyway

Well Tpap, you can wrong anywhere. It looks like you are wrong here. I should be flattered.

-------------------------

"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

Good thing 'die uh beet us' ain't no red state problem.

That's the excuse you're going with Chicken Wrongz?

Damn, even I thought you had a least a vertebrae or two.

Guess they developed into feathers.

More than just sad, man.. cringey sad.



-------------------------


We have certain things in common Jeffrey..

A persecution complex comes with the territory when you are wrong all the time.

-------------------------

"One of the reasons why propaganda tries to get you to hate government is because it's the one existing institution in which people can participate to some extent and constrain tyrannical unaccountable power." Noam Chomsky.

No, the lower prices are primarily the result of big pharma releasing generics at a lower price. Your link proves my point, however. This is a stupid move by Newsom and is merely propaganda. If someone can produce insulin at a lower price, they will, regardless of what California does.

-------------------------
I :heart; Q