Photo: Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty
In response to supply-chain concerns and the rising cost of medicine, the state of California will begin to manufacture insulin, Gov.Gavin Newsomannounced Thursday afternoon.
The 54-year-old Democratic politician shared the update in aTwitteraddress, breaking down how the project was possible.
“Nothing, nothing epitomizes market failures more than the cost of insulin,” Newsom began, noting that many Americans pay out-of-pocket costs upwards of $500 a month for the lifesaving drug.
The $100-million initiative is taking shape thanks to the state’s recently approved budget, Newsom said, with $50 million going towards the development of low-cost insulin products and another $50 million allocated for a California-based insulin manufacturing facility. The plant will provide “new, high-paying jobs and a stronger supply chain for the drug,” he added.
Stressing his message, Newsom captioned the clip, “It’s simple. People should not go into debt to get the life-saving medication.”
Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
California’s move comes amid motion to check the rising cost of insulin at the federal level.The Hillreports that the Senate is soon expected to vote on a bipartisan insulin bill, the proposed legislation hoping to curb out-of-pocket costs at $35 per month.
In the quest to make medication more affordable, a report published in theAnnals of Internal Medicinelast month claimed that Medicare could save $3.6 billion per year if it purchased drugs throughMark Cuban’s online pharmacy
In January, the 63-year-old billionaire launchedMark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, an online pharmacy claiming to offer lower prescription drug prices.
source: people.com
