Lady Justice
In a move that’s set to ignite debates across the state, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a groundbreaking settlement with Novo Nordisk that will cap insulin costs at just $35 per month for all Minnesotans, regardless of insurance status. This deal is the latest in Ellison’s ongoing war against pharmaceutical companies over the inflated price of insulin, a life-saving drug for diabetics. But while many celebrate this as a major win for consumers, critics are questioning the long-term consequences of the agreement.
Ellison’s office claims this settlement, which comes after a 2018 lawsuit alleging deceptive pricing by Novo Nordisk, will benefit uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans who’ve been forced to pay exorbitant prices for insulin due to its high list price, the so-called Wholesale Acquisition Cost. The new price cap, effective for the next five years, guarantees that no Minnesota resident will pay more than $35 per month for insulin products such as Novolog, Tresiba, Fiasp, and Novolin—whether they have insurance or not.
But critics argue that while this price reduction seems like a victory for consumers, the settlement is a double-edged sword. Some say it represents an alarming precedent that could destabilize the already fragile pharmaceutical market. “This may seem like a win for patients now, but it could lead to long-term consequences for the insulin market, including reduced competition and potentially fewer options for consumers,” said a spokesperson for a national pharmaceutical industry trade group.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison reached a settlement with insulin manufacturer Eli Lilly, ensuring that all Minnesotans, regardless of insurance status, can purchase Eli Lilly’s insulin for just $35 per month for the next five years. The agreement also includes a commitment from Eli Lilly to provide free insulin to 15 clinics serving the state’s neediest populations. This settlement resolves the 2018 lawsuit Ellison filed against Eli Lilly for deceptive pricing of insulin, while litigation continues against other manufacturers. The deal is part of ongoing efforts to address the soaring cost of insulin, with similar settlements already reached in other states and at the federal level.
The settlement follows similar agreements Ellison brokered with Eli Lilly and Sanofi in 2024, ensuring that all Minnesotans can access insulin for just $35 a month from the three largest insulin manufacturers in the country. Yet, some argue that Ellison’s office is overstepping by taking on the role of price negotiator, undermining market forces and potentially opening the door for further government intervention in drug pricing.
Ellison, however, stands firm in his position. “This litigation has had a huge impact on insulin prices. In 2018, when our lawsuit was filed, it could cost hundreds of dollars to fill a prescription. Today, it will cost just $35,” Ellison stated in a press release. “My mission as Attorney General is to help Minnesotans afford their lives, and lowering the cost of an expensive, life-saving drug like insulin does exactly that.”
The settlement also comes with additional provisions aimed at easing access to insulin. Novo Nordisk has agreed to implement a texting system to help pharmacists and patients determine eligibility for the low-cost insulin option, and to continue its Patient Assistance Program, providing free insulin to households with incomes up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, which is about $124,800 for a family of four.
Ellison’s office has been relentless in its pursuit of lower drug prices, also defending legislation such as the Alec Smith Insulin Act and laws aimed at curbing price gouging by pharmaceutical companies. However, some state lawmakers are warning that this settlement could further entrench the power of major drug manufacturers, who may see the price cap as an opportunity to increase prices elsewhere.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison secured a settlement with insulin manufacturer Sanofi, capping the cost of its insulin products at $35 per month for all Minnesotans, regardless of insurance, for the next five years. This agreement, part of Ellison’s ongoing lawsuit against insulin manufacturers, follows a similar settlement with Eli Lilly. Sanofi will also provide free insulin to the neediest Minnesotans through its Patient Connection Program. The deal is a major victory for consumers, addressing the high cost of insulin, with the pricing set to begin in 90 days.
In addition to the Novo Nordisk deal, Minnesotans can now access insulin at a lower price from all three major manufacturers, a rare moment of unity in an industry often criticized for price-gouging and lack of transparency. But with the pharmaceutical industry’s track record of resisting reform, only time will tell if this deal will truly make insulin affordable for everyone—or if it will lead to unintended consequences that harm consumers in the long run.
For now, the public will have to wait and see how this settlement plays out, as Minnesotans begin to navigate the intricacies of these new insulin pricing options. In the meantime, Attorney General Ellison is already looking to the future, working with local partners to raise awareness about the settlement’s impact. “The work of my office to make life more affordable for folks across our state remains ongoing,” Ellison said.
Will this move lead to real change, or is it just another headline-grabbing deal that ultimately falls short of tackling the core issue of prescription drug affordability? Minnesota’s fight against Big Pharma is far from over.
