Gavin Newsom visits Downey to unveil $30 insulin plan

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a partnership with Civica Rx on Saturday to bring insulin to Californians at $30 per 10 milliliters, which he says is just a tenth of what it is today.

Newsom visited the Kaiser warehouse in Downey as part of his ongoing tour of the state, discussing his administrative policies instead of the traditional address to the state.

He praised the 10-year partnership as a way to reduce the health burden on residents without “subsidizing costs or socializing costs” but addressing “underlying” costs.

The program, which will be implemented through CalRx, was described by the governor as a “market disruption” that he hoped would induce major pharmaceutical companies to lower the drug’s prices.

“This is a big deal for us. This does not happen anywhere else in the United States,” the governor said.

“Diabetes has become an extremely expensive chronic disease and it is heartbreaking that millions of people in California and across the US are faced with the possibility of limiting their treatment and putting their lives at risk because they can no longer afford insulin.” Civica President and CEO Ned McCoy made the announcement. “We applaud California’s commitment to lowering the cost of insulin and look forward to our innovative partnership on behalf of people living with diabetes.”

Newsom said production should begin later this year and added that he expects “favorable treatment” from the FDA and hopes shipments will begin next year.

Also announced Saturday was a deal that would allow California to produce its own cheaper naloxone or narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of opioid overdoses and saves hundreds of thousands of lives.

Officials said the insulin deal was just the start of what they hoped would be a broader program of similar deals.

“We’re starting with insulin, but we’re not stopping there,” said Mark Galey, secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Services, who joined Newsom to announce the announcement along with Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn and Downey Mayor Claudia Frometa. and others. “We’re going to look for other opportunities (for savings).”

Indeed, Newsom said that “next” would be Meloxil.

“No one should have to choose between paying for prescription drugs that keep them alive and paying rent or serving food,” Hand said. “This new partnership to make insulin and make it available for as little as $30 will change the lives of families. I applaud the Governor’s ambitious efforts and commitment to addressing the challenges facing Californians.”

Republicans said action was needed to save the state’s hospital system, but blamed that “years of underfunding Medi-Cal reimbursements have left hospitals across the state unable to pay their bills, pushing them to the brink of collapse.”

“This is a self-induced crisis of epic proportions that puts lives at stake,” said Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, a San Diego Republican. “While Newsom makes a stop on his tour of the state to talk about healthcare, he misses the mark – there are families currently without access to emergency services and millions more could be at risk if the governor doesn’t take swift action. “.

Jones added, “While I appreciate the Governor’s enthusiasm and creativity in addressing rising healthcare and prescription drug costs, the priority right now should be to preserve the healthcare system we have. Without immediate action, millions of Californians will not have access to doctors, nurses and hospital services.”

The Governor began his trip Thursday in Sacramento, where he discussed plans to build 1,200 small homes across the state to address homelessness, followed on Friday by a speech on the San Quentin State Prison’s overhaul plan.

Newsom’s tour continues Sunday in San Diego with a mental health event.