Affordable insulin from CalRx is slow to reach patients

STAT is co-publishing this article by KFF Health News.

SAN FRANCISCO — In the lively Japantown area of the city, pharmacist Margaret On at a local Walgreens is stocking two boxes of long-acting insulin pens from California’s latest prescription drug brand, CalRx, which feature the distinctive grizzly bear symbol of the state.

Though she has yet to distribute any, On intends to keep them available. “It’s beneficial to have these on hand if a patient arrives without health insurance,” she explained. “Or for emergency situations.”