Attorney General Raúl Torrez has announced settlements with insulin manufacturers Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC and Novo Nordisk Inc. to reduce insulin costs for New Mexicans. These agreements aim to improve access to this essential medication for those managing diabetes.
"These are huge wins for New Mexicans who have struggled with the outrageous cost of insulin," said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. "These agreements will help people stop rationing medication, avoid financial hardship, and focus on staying healthy. We are holding drug manufacturers accountable and making access to life-saving treatment more equitable."
The state estimates that between 207,000 and 250,000 residents live with diabetes, many of whom require daily insulin. Historically high out-of-pocket expenses have forced some patients to choose between buying insulin and meeting other basic needs.
Under the settlement with Sanofi, the company must maintain its Insulins ValYou Savings Program, allowing eligible cash-paying patients to purchase a 30-day supply of insulin for $35. Additionally, Sanofi will continue its Patient Connection Program for uninsured or underinsured individuals and provide bilingual support in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, and Mandarin Chinese. Participating pharmacies will also receive training to assist patients in enrolling in affordability programs.
Novo Nordisk's agreement ensures that eligible New Mexicans can obtain a monthly supply of insulin for no more than $35 through their Patient Assistance Program. This program offers free insulin to qualifying uninsured individuals or Medicare Part D enrollees. Novo Nordisk will also partner with third-party messaging services to inform pharmacies about available discounts at the point of sale and assist patients in enrolling immediately. Bilingual customer service will be available via phone and website chat in Spanish.
"These agreements are a major milestone in our broader effort to bring transparency and fairness to the pharmaceutical industry," said Torrez. "Our office will continue working to ensure every New Mexican has access to essential medicine—regardless of income or insurance status."
Both settlements follow investigations by the New Mexico Department of Justice into insulin pricing practices. The companies have committed to reforms that aim to make insulin more affordable across the state for several years.
For further details on these affordability programs and eligibility criteria, visit www.novocare.com for Novo Nordisk programs or Sanofi’s Patient Connection Program.
Information from this article can be found here.
