California Politics HuddleCPH Daily Bulletin 10/16/2025
In shot across #BigPharma's bow, #California will sell its own #insulin
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/16/california-becomes-the-first-state-to-sell-insulin-00611163
Eric Darnley SmallStarting Jan. 1, California will launch its affordable state-branded CalRx insulin—no new prescription needed—offering pens for just $11 each or $55 for a five-pack, thanks to a partnership with nonprofit Civica and Biocon. This move aims to drive down drug costs and improve access, with similar low-cost insulin soon available nationwide through Civica. Newsom hopes California’s step as an insulin-maker will push prices lower everywhere, responding to sky-high pharma prices. This is part of broader efforts to make generics like insulin and Naloxone accessible for all Californians. More: https://apnews.com/article/california-affordable-insulin-415edd0b915677d2051d22b4b8f8121c #Insulin #HealthCare #CalRx #Newsom #DrugPrices #Pharma #Diabetes #California
California to sell affordable insulin under state label starting Jan. 1
Gov. Gavin Newsom says California will begin selling affordable insulin under its own label on Jan. 1, nearly three years after he first announced a partnership to sell state-branded generic drugs at lower prices. But California won’t be the only state making lower-cost insulin available. The nonprofit Civica says Thursday it will also distribute its economical diabetes medication to pharmacies nationwide. Starting in the new year, insulin pens will be available in California under the CalRx label for $11 per pen, or a maximum of $55 for a five-pack.
BongolianSophia Bollag: Californians can now buy #overdose reversal drug directly from the state
"California residents can now buy the overdose reversal nasal spray #naloxone directly from the state through the #CalRx program, Gov. Gavin #Newsom announced Monday.
Previously, only government entities and businesses could purchase naloxone at the below-market-rate cost of $24 per two-pack negotiated by the Newsom administration."
#California
https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/newsom-naloxone-20285685.php
Jacob S. Sherkow 🦆💊🏸⚫How is #CalRx going to interact with #insulin price cuts? For a great piece on the topic (w/ Q" from me), see this Ben Ryan #NYTimes article: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/health/insulin-prices-california.html
Sue StoneCalifornia moves to cap insulin cost at $30 | The Hill
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3907583-california-moves-to-cap-insulin-cost-at-30/
California moves to cap insulin cost at $30
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) on Saturday announced the state is manufacturing its own insulin and capping the cost at $30. California’s CalRx initiative has partnered with nonprofit generic drug manufacturer CIVICA to make the drug and bring the price down by around 90 percent, according to the governor’s office. “California will be manufacturing some…
Chuck DarwinGeV. Newsom announces $50-million contract to make California’s own brand of insulin
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new $50-million contract with the nonprofit generic drugmaker #Civica to produce #insulin under the state’s own label during a news conference Saturday in Downey.
Pending approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the deal with Civica would provide the first pharmaceutical product made under the #CalRX brand of #generic #drugs.
Under the deal, a 10-milliliter vial — normally costing $300 — would be made available for the same $30 it costs the state to manufacture and distribute the drug, according to the governor’s office.
Newsom’s office said that as a result of such sharply reduced prices, patients who pay out of pocket for insulin would save between $2,000 and $4,000 annually.
“This is a big deal, folks,” Newsom said. “This is not happening anywhere else in the United States.”
New paper! In #JAMA, @[email protected], @[email protected], and I assess California's #insulin manufacturing initiative, #CalRx—and extend it, if successful, to other #publichealth needs.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2800773?resultClick=1
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2800773?resultClick=1
Assessing California’s Insulin Manufacturing Initiative
This Viewpoint reviews California’s recently proposed CalRx initiative to manufacture biosimilar insulin, highlights challenges facing the initiative, and suggests ways in which, if successful, the initiative could serve as a model for state-managed development of drugs other than insulin, reduce...