Gov. Gavin Newsom announces California will start selling low-cost insulin in 2026
      
      Source: CBS News
Updated on: October 16, 2025 / 6:42 PM PDT
Californians will be able to buy low-cost, state-branded insulin next year, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.
The CalRX  California's program to develop and sell its own prescription medications  pens will be available to purchase for Californians starting Jan. 1, 2026.  "California didn't wait for the pharmaceutical industry to do the right thing  we took matters into our own hands," Newsom said in a statement Thursday.
Newsom's office is touting the CalRX suggested retail price of no more than $55 for a pack of five 3-mL pens, coming out to about $11 a pen.
"By beginning the process to manufacture our own insulin and pricing it at a maximum cost of $11 a pen in a five-pack, California and Civica are showing the nation what it looks like to put people over profits," Newsom stated.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-low-cost-insulin-gavin-newsom/