Manufacturer to Offer Discounts on Insulin Products

Sanofi, 1 of 3 drug manufacturers embroiled in a lawsuit involving insulin prices, said Thursday it is offering a discount program for some patient with diabetes who are uninsured or who have high-deductible insurance plans.

Sanofi said the total out-of-pocket cost for insulin glargine (marketed under the name Lantus) or insulin lispro injection (sold under the name Admelog) will be $99 for a 10 mL vial or $149 for a box of 5 three mL pens. The company said in a statement the program is aimed at “certain uninsured patients who don't qualify for traditional patient assistance programs, in addition to some commercially insured patients with a high deductible that has not been reached on their plan.”

A company spokesman said in a later email the program is open to all “non-federally insured patients, regardless of insurance status or plan design.” The discount to patients comes as Sanofi, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk are parties in a racketeering lawsuit where they recently acknowledged that consumers’ sticker shock over insulin prices are real.

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