Episode 339 - $11 Insulin for All: Civica Rx’s Breakthrough with CalRx and the Future of Affordable Insulin

In this episode of Diabetics Doing Things, host Rob Howe sits down with Allan Coukell, Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer at Civica Rx, to discuss one of the most significant healthcare developments in years: California’s announcement that insulin pens will be available for $11 each ($55 for a five-pack) beginning January 1, 2026. They unpack how CalRx and Civica Rx partnered to manufacture biosimilar insulins—beginning with insulin glargine, the long-acting insulin—and how this effort represents a national, non-profit model for lowering drug costs. The conversation explores how these low-cost insulins will reach patients across the U.S., how Civica Rx’s unique business model disrupts traditional pharmaceutical pricing, and what’s next for rapid-acting insulins (aspart, Humalog, Novolog) and other affordable drugs in Civica’s pipeline. Rob and Allan also dive into the broader implications of nonprofit manufacturing, state partnerships, and how patients, advocates, and policymakers can support the movement toward transparent, sustainable drug pricing. Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:51 – CalRX announcement 02:40 – Meet Allan Coukell 03:16 – Policy and Affordability 04:40 – Breaking down the CalRx Announcement 05:12 – How the Partnership Works 07:03 – Scaling Access Nationwide 08:34 – The Role of State Partnerships 10:08 – Beyond Insulin: Civica’s Drug Pipeline 13:02 – The Timeline and Transparency 14:47 – What’s Next for Patients 15:32 – Advocacy and How to Help Resources: * CivicaRx.org * CalRx.gov Key Takeaways * Insulin Glargine (long-acting) launches January 1, 2026 for $11/pen in California and nationwide. * Rapid-acting insulin (aspart) is in development with no public release date yet. * Civica Rx’s nonprofit model eliminates rebates and profit markups, targeting transparency and affordability. * Other Civica products already cut prices on cancer, MS, and chronic care drugs by over 90%. * Patients can help by requesting coverage, spreading awareness, and advocating for more states to partner with Civica.

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