Attorney General Ellison secures more low-cost insulin for Minnesotans
July 23, 2024 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement with Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC (Sanofi), ensuring that all Minnesotans, with or without insurance, can purchase Sanofi’s insulin products for $35 per month over the next five years. This settlement resolves a 2018 lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s Office, which alleged that Sanofi deceptively priced its insulin products, causing uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans to pay high out-of-pocket costs based on the Wholesale Acquisition Cost of the drugs.
The terms of the settlement will take effect within 90 days of July 19, 2024.
The agreement mandates that Sanofi provide insulin products—including Admelog, Lantus, Toujeo, and Apidra—at $35 per monthly prescription for customers paying with cash. Insured Minnesotans may also opt to pay no more than $35 per month without using their insurance. Consumers must enroll for a savings card on a Sanofi affordability website to affirm their eligibility.
Upon implementation of Sanofi’s affordability program, the Attorney General’s Office will release information to the media detailing how Minnesotans can access this pricing. The Office will also update MNinsulin35.com to include this information. Currently, the website provides details on purchasing Eli Lilly insulin at similar prices.
Sanofi has agreed to implement a texting system to assist pharmacists and patients in determining eligibility for low-cost insulin and alerting them about this alternative at pharmacy counters statewide. Additionally, Sanofi will continue its Patient Connection Program, providing free insulin to Minnesotans with annual household incomes up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level ($124,800 for a family of four).
“Our litigation has had a huge impact on insulin prices,” said Attorney General Ellison. “In 2018, when this lawsuit was filed, the list price of a five-pack of Apidra in an injection pen was over $625. Today, we reached an agreement bringing that price for a month’s supply of pens down to just $35. This is a big victory for the people of Minnesota and will do so much to help families across the state afford their lives.”
Over the past decade, insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefits managers have faced increased scrutiny over rising insulin costs from state attorneys general and Congress. In 2022, President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act capped out-of-pocket costs of insulin for seniors on Medicare at $35 per monthly prescription—a price now extended to all Minnesotans through this settlement with Sanofi.
“With this settlement, Minnesotans can get the insulin they need at prices they can afford,” added Attorney General Ellison. “I will continue to do everything in my power to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Nobody in Minnesota should be denied medicine they need to survive because of its price.”
In addition to settling with Sanofi today, the Attorney General’s Office has defended other legislative efforts against high drug prices, including defending the Alec Smith Insulin Act and laws against generic drug price gouging.
In upcoming months, the Attorney General’s Office plans to collaborate with local partners to raise awareness about this low-cost option. The office encourages consumers with complaints about their insulin costs to contact them online or by phone at (651) 296-3353 or (800) 657-3787.
The Official Website of Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 1400,
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-3353 (Twin Cities Calling Area)
(800) 657-3787 (Outside Twin Cities)
(800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay)