New Insulin Affordability Programs Include $99 Insulin in the US from Novo Nordisk

By Emily Fitts and Jimmy McDermott

$99 Cash Card Program provides 3000-3800 units of any combination of Novo Nordisk analog insulins in vials or pens. NovoLog authorized generics are available at half price. Immediate supply of insulin for emergencies​

Updated on January 6, 2021

Novo Nordisk is expanding its affordability options for people in the US who are struggling to pay for insulin. In doing so, the company joins its competitors, Sanofi and Lilly, who previously implemented similar programs in response to growing pressure from policymakers and the public regarding the high cost of insulin.

As of January 2020, Novo Nordisk’s insulin affordability options include:

• My$99insulin Cash Card Program provides 3000-3800 units (three vials or two packs of pens) of Novo Nordisk analog insulin for $99.

• Authorized generic versions of NovoLog sold at half the list price.

• A free, one-time, immediate supply of Novo Nordisk insulin (up to three vials or two packs of pens) for people with diabetes in an emergency situation.

These offerings are designed to support people with or without insurance.

$99 Cash Card Program for Analog Insulins:

Using My$99Insulin, people with diabetes will be able to purchase up to three vials or two packs of FlexPen/FlexTouch pens with any combination of Novo Nordisk analog insulins (NovoLog, Tresiba, Fiasp) for $99. Depending on the brand, this is about 3000-3800 units of insulin. The company suggests that this supply of insulin will cover the monthly needs of most people with diabetes. People can use the My$99insulin card as often as they need to.

Half Price NovoLog and NovoLog Mix Follow-On Brands:

Novo Nordisk is providing Follow-On Brands (also known as authorized generics) of NovoLog and NovoLog Mix in vial and pen formulations. These insulins are sold for half the cost of the current branded versions, and are listed below with their new prices:

Source: Novo Nordisk Press Release

Because these Follow-On Brands are “authorized generics,” people with a prescription for NovoLog will be able to buy these cheaper forms of insulin without a new prescription. Given that NovoLog is used by about one million people with diabetes in the US, this could reduce costs for many people with diabetes. 

Immediate Supply of Insulin for Emergencies:

People who are in emergency situations – at risk of rationing insulin and need insulin immediately to prevent serious danger – may be eligible for a free, one-time, immediate supply of up to three vials or two packs of pens of Novo Nordisk insulin. If you have a prescription for Novo Nordisk insulin and find yourself in this situation, you can call Novo Nordisk at 1-844-NOVO4ME (1-844-668-6463) or visit NovoCare.com for help.

People who use this emergency resource will be directed to Novo Nordisk’s other affordability options as a longer-term solution.

These three new iinsulin offerings will add to Novo Nordisk’s previous affordability options:

• Patient Assistance Program provides free medicines to eligible people who do not have insurance, or those enrolled in Medicare with high out-of-pocket expenses.

• Co-pay Savings Card lowers costs for those with commercial insurance who are experiencing high out-of-pocket costs. 

• Novo Nordisk human insulin is offered at Walmart and CVS for about $25 for a 10mL vial.

To learn more about Novo Nordisk affordability options for insulin and other medications, you can go to NovoCare.com or call 1-800-727-6500.

Want more information on insulin affordability options?

• Check out diaTribe’s comprehensive resource on getting affordable insulin.

• See diaTribe’s article on how to get diabetes drugs for free, which reviews eight manufacturers’ Patient Assistance Programs.

• Sanofi Insulins Valyou Savings Program offers any of their insulins (Toujeo, Lantus, ADMELOG, and Apidra) for $99/month to those who qualify. 

• Lilly sells Insulin Lispro, a generic version of Humalog, in US pharmacies for $137 per vial and $265 for a package of five KwikPens (half the price of Humalog).

Novo Nordisk announced on January 6, 2021 that they will extend their COVID-19 Patient Assistance Program, NovoCare, through June 30, 2021.

Every person with diabetes should have access to affordable insulin; see The diaTribe Foundation's position on insulin affordability here.