Constantine Johnny / Getty Images
Walmart is launching its own brand of insulin vials and pens that will provide significant savings for diabetic patients.
The new products will be marketed by Walmart under the ReliOn brand and manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, the retail giant said in a press release on Tuesday. The new ReliOn NovoLog insulin injection, a fast-acting insulin, will be available in Walmart pharmacies this week and in Sam’s Club pharmacies in mid-July, Walmart said.
Walmart said the new products can save people with diabetes between 58% and 75% off the cash price of branded analog insulin products, or an annual saving of $ 101 per branded vial or $ 251 per pack of FlexPens. (The savings were calculated based on patients who bought insulin without prescription drug insurance, Walmart said in its press release.)
A box of five 3-milliliter FlexPens (pre-filled insulin pens) sells for $ 85.88 and a 10-milliliter insulin vial sells for $ 72.88, a Walmart spokesman said. Customers need a prescription to purchase.
Our health and wellness newsletter brings the best products, updates and advice to your inbox.
Analog or laboratory-made insulin is used for regulation by people with diabetes Blood sugar level. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. When a person’s body isn’t producing insulin or doesn’t respond well to insulin, it needs artificial insulin. For these people, insulin is a life-saving drug, but it can be prohibitively expensive.
“We know that many people with diabetes struggle to manage the financial burden of this condition and we are focused on helping with affordable solutions,” said Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president of Walmart Health and Wellness, in a statement. “We also know that this is a condition that disproportionately affects underserved populations.”
In the Walmart press release, Tracey D. Brown, executive director of the American Diabetes Association, said the annual estimated medical cost for diabetes is about $ 9,601 per person. “We welcome all affordable solutions that are making diabetes management more accessible to millions of Americans living with diabetes,” said Brown.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always contact a doctor or other qualified health care provider with questions about a medical condition or health goals.
