Sanofi announced that it has increased the benefits to its Valyou insulin savings program to now offer up to 10 boxes of SoloStar insulin pens and/or 10 vials of 10mL insulin for $99 per month. Previously each 10 mL vial was $99 and each box of SoloStar pens was $149. According to the press release, the program covers all Sanofi insulins (Lantus, Toujeo, Admelog, and Apidra) but not Soliqua. The program will become available starting in June 2019. Below, FENIX provides brief thoughts on the program in the context of the ongoing drug pricing debate.

Cigna and Express Scripts announced a new insulin “Patient Assurance Program” that will cap the out-of-pocket cost for a 30-day insulin supply to $25 for eligible patients on participating plans (Cigna purchased ESI in December 2018). Of note, the new savings program was announced ~1 week ahead of the third Senate Finance Committee hearing on drug pricing which is scheduled for April 9, 2019, at 10:15 AM ET. The third installment, titled “Drug Pricing in America: A Prescription for Change, Part III,” will focus specifically on the role of PBMs. Below, FENIX provides thoughts on the Cigna/ESI insulin savings program as an obvious strategy to redirect the focus away from themselves and back onto insulin manufacturers.