Civica Rx, a nonprofit generic drug company co-founded by the Gary and Mary West Foundation in 2018, announced Thursday that it plans to manufacture and distribute affordable insulin, according to Eureka Alert.
Low-cost insulin will help people with diabetes, particularly those who are uninsured or underinsured. It is estimated that at least one in every four Americans with diabetes is skipping lifesaving insulin doses due to high prices.
Shelley Lyford, Vice-Chair of the board at Civica Rx, said, “For decades, patients living with diabetes have been victim to drug company price gouging. Today’s announcement turns that narrative on its head, shifts power back into the hands of patients, and demonstrates the disruptive force of Civica in the pharmaceutical industry.”
“The Gary and Mary West Foundation is committed to developing and supporting innovative solutions to combat the high cost of prescription drugs in America that harm seniors and patients of all ages, and we are proud to have Civica as a strong partner in these efforts,” added Lyford, who is also the CEO and Chair of the Gary and Mary West Foundation.
Civica Rx is expected to produce three generic insulins (glargine, lispro, and aspart) at a price of no more than $30 per vial and no more than $55 for a box of five pre-filled pens.
Depending on FDA approval, the Utah-based company anticipates that its first insulin (glargine) will be available by 2024.
Martin VanTrieste, CEO of Civica Rx, said, “More than 8 million Americans rely on insulin to live, but many can’t afford to take the amount they need because of the historically high and prohibitive cost of insulin.”
“We know that to really solve for the insulin cost and access challenges so many Americans face, we need a process – from manufacturing to setting a transparent price – that ultimately lowers the cost of the drug for those living with diabetes,” he added. “In that spirit, we will ensure patients know where Civica’s low-cost insulin is available.”
Civica Rx will sell its generic insulins at one low, transparent price for all, depending on the cost of development, production, and distribution. It aims to make quality generic medicines accessible and affordable to everyone.
