Starting January 1, 2026, Californians will be able to purchase low-cost, state-branded insulin, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.
The insulin will be produced under CalRX, California’s program to develop and sell its own prescription medications.
“California didn’t wait for the pharmaceutical industry to do the right thing — we took matters into our own hands,” Newsom said in a statement.
Newsom’s office highlighted that the CalRX insulin will carry a suggested retail price of no more than $55 for a pack of five 3-mL pens — roughly $11 per pen.
“By beginning the process to manufacture our own insulin and pricing it at a maximum cost of $11 a pen in a five-pack, California and Civica are showing the nation what it looks like to put people over profits,” Newsom said.
California’s move follows years of advocacy by state leaders to reduce insulin costs. The initiative stems from a partnership with nonprofit drug manufacturer Civica Rx and Biocon Biologics.
Additionally, Newsom recently signed Senate Bill 40, which caps insulin cost-sharing at $35 for a month’s supply in California.
The governor is expected to deliver remarks on the state’s new insulin initiative at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
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