AstraZeneca Announces Price Reductions for Diabetes and Asthma Medications
AstraZeneca has announced that it will sell its diabetes and asthma medications directly to U.S. patients who pay in cash with discounts of up to 70% off list prices, following pressure from President Donald Trump.
Key Medications and Their New Prices
- Farxiga for Diabetes: The price will be reduced to $182, which is 70% less than the list price. This medication generated $7.7 billion in global sales in 2024, accounting for about 14% of AstraZeneca’s total revenue.
- Airsupra for Asthma: The price will be lowered to approximately $249, which is around 50% below the list price.
AstraZeneca will ship medications directly to patients’ homes, bypassing pharmacies, insurers, and pharmacy benefit managers that Trump accuses of defrauding Americans. The company stated in a press release that this new service is “a significant step forward to provide patients with the medication they need, when and how they need it.”
Sanofi to Sell Insulin for $35 per Month
In response to Trump’s pressure on drug pricing, the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi announced that it will offer monthly supplies of any of its insulin products for $35 to all U.S. patients with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status.
Sanofi’s Insulin Program Expansion
Initially intended for uninsured diabetes patients, Sanofi’s program now includes those with commercial or Medicare insurance. This move aims to make insulin more affordable for the estimated 8.4 million Americans with diabetes who rely on insulin to survive, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Industry-wide Efforts to Lower Drug Prices
Pharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide, including AstraZeneca and Sanofi, have intensified their efforts to reduce drug prices in the U.S., implementing direct-to-consumer programs as Trump pushes for aligning U.S. drug costs with those in high-income countries.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is AstraZeneca? AstraZeneca is a leading Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company, being the largest by market value in the UK.
- Q: Why is AstraZeneca’s price reduction significant? This move allows patients without insurance or with limited coverage to access essential medications at a significantly reduced cost.
- Q: What is Sanofi’s role in this development? Sanofi, a major global pharmaceutical manufacturer, is offering monthly insulin supplies for $35 to all U.S. patients with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status.
- Q: How do these changes impact patients? These price reductions aim to make essential medications more affordable for millions of Americans, particularly those with diabetes who rely on insulin to survive.
