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Alec Raeshawn Smith

Alec Raeshawn Smith

Type 1 diabetic patient

Appears in 1 story

Stories

The battle to break insulin's price stranglehold

Rule Changes

Died June 27, 2017, from diabetic ketoacidosis after rationing insulin

On January 1, 2026, two unprecedented insulin programs launched simultaneously: nonprofit Civica Rx began distributing insulin glargine pens for $55 per box, while California became the first state to sell its own CalRx-branded insulin at the same price pointโ€”both undercutting branded products by up to 90%. The coordinated launches mark the first major breach in a pricing fortress built by three pharmaceutical giants who control 90% of the U.S. insulin market. Unlike existing insulin, these products require no insurance forms, no rebates, no hidden markups. Just one transparent price available to anyone.

Updated Feb 10