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Novo Nordisk Lowers Insulin Price for Up to 75% for Individuals With Diabetes

The changes, which will be effective January 1, 2024, include pre-filled pens, vials of basal, vials of bolus, and pre-mix insulins.

Pixel-Shot / stock.adobe.com

Pixel-Shot / stock.adobe.com

Novo Nordisk Inc has announced that it is lowering the United States list prices for several insulin products by up to 75% for individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.1

The products include pre-filled pens, vials of basal, vials of bolus, and pre-mix insulins. This will specifically include Levemir (insulin determir), Novolin (human insulin isophane suspension injection (recombinant DNA origin), NovoLog (insulin aspart), and NovoLog Mix 70/30 (insulin aspart protamine and insulin aspart injectable suppression).1

“We have been working to develop a sustainable path forward that balances patient affordability, market dynamics, and evolving policy changes,” Steve Albers, senior vice president of Market Access & Public Affairs at Novo Nordisk, said in a statement. “Novo Nordisk remains committed to ensuring patients living with diabetes can afford our insulins, a responsibility we take seriously.”1

This follows a decision by Eli Lilly and Company to reduce the price for its most commonly prescribed insulins by 70%, capping out-of-pocket patient costs at $35 or less per month.2

Novo Nordisk will also reduce the list price of unbranded biologics to match the lowered price of each respective branded insulin. The changes will be effective January 1, 2024.1

The prices for NovoLog and Novolog Mix 70/30 will be $72.34 for the vial and $139.71 for the FlexPen. For Levemir and Novolin, it will be $107.85 and $48.20 for the vial, respectively, and $161.77 and $91.09 for the FlexPen, respectively.1

The company will also reduce the list price of insulin aspart and insulin aspart protamine and insulin aspart to match the lowered price of each respective branded insulin.1

Novo Nordisk also has a variety of affordability offerings for those eligible in the United States who have diabetes, which includes:1

  1. A Patient Assistance Program, which offers free diabetes medication to individuals in need and meet certain eligibility criteria.
  2. Co-Pay Savings Cards, which allows eligible patients with commercial insurance plans to have co-pays between $25 and $35.
  3. Immediate Supply, which is a 1-time free 30-day supply of insulin, up to 3 vials or 2 packs of pens, eligible to patients at risk of rationing.
  4. My$99Insulin, which allows eligible patients to spend $99 on a 30-day supply of a combination of insulin products, with up to 3 vials or 2 packs of pens. This equates to $33 per vial or $49.50 per pack of pens.
  5. Novo Nordisk Human Insulin, which is a program through Walmart and available at CVS that offers human insulin for approximately $25 per vial.
  6. Unbranded Biologics, available at 65% off the list price of Tresiba’ biologic insulin degludec and 50% off the list price of insulin aspart and insulin aspart protamine.

Insulin has come to the forefront in social conversations. There are ongoing federal efforts to cap out-of-pocket costs at $35, and, most recently, President Joseph R. Biden addressed the successful push to cap insulin at this price per month for seniors on Medicare and called for Congress to do the same.2

References

1. Novo Nordisk to lower U.S. prices of several pre-filled insulin pens and vials up to 75% for people living with diabetes in January 2024. News release. Novo Nordisk. March 14, 2023. Accessed March 14, 2023. https://www.novonordisk-us.com/content/nncorp/us/en_us/media/news-archive/news-details.html?id=163964

2. Antrim A. Eli Lilly caps insulin out-of-pocket costs at $35 per month. Pharmacy Times. March 1, 2023. Accessed March 14, 2023. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/eli-lilly-caps-insulin-out-of-pocket-costs-at-35-per-month

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