05 November 2025
Episode 339 - $11 Insulin for All: Civica Rx’s Breakthrough with CalRx and the Future of Affordable Insulin
Diabetics Doing Things Podcast
About
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.
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.