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  • June 9, 2023
  • Article
  • New England Journal of Medicine

A Radical Treatment for Insulin Pricing

By: Leemore S. Dafny
  • Format:Print
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Abstract

In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first interchangeable biosimilar for long-acting insulin, which many hoped would be substantially cheaper than the reference branded product. I explain why prices have barely changed, and argue that a regulatory or disruptive business fix is needed to bring down insulin prices. I describe one promising fix on the horizon: the announcement by a nonprofit firm, CivicaRx, to manufacture and sell its own interchangeable biosimilars, bypassing the traditional supply chain.

Keywords

Biosimilars; Rebates; Pharmaceuticals; Health Care and Treatment; Price; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Pharmaceutical Industry; United States

Citation

Dafny, Leemore S. "A Radical Treatment for Insulin Pricing." New England Journal of Medicine 386, no. 23 (June 9, 2023): 2157–2159.
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About The Author

Leemore S. Dafny

General Management
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  • Sale of Private Equity–Owned Physician Practices and Physician Turnover By: Victoria Berquist, Lev Klarnet and Leemore Dafny
  • Sale of Private-Equity Owned Physician Practices and Physician Turnover By: Leemore S. Dafny, Victoria Berquist and Lev Klarnet
  • How Do Copayment Coupons Affect Branded Drug Prices and Quantities Purchased? By: Leemore S. Dafny, Kate Ho and Edward Kong
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