Walmart Promises Big Savings For Diabetes Customers With Low Price Analog Insulin Pens, Vials

Walmart (WMT) will begin rolling out a line of private-label analog insulin this week that will be sold under the ReliOn brand for diabetes customers at a lower price.

The insulin will be available in vials for $72.88 and as a FlexPen for $85.99, which Walmart said will save customers from 58% to 75% off the cash price of branded analog insulin products. The retail giant said customers will see savings of up to $101 per branded vial or $251 per package of branded Flex Pens.

ReliOn is a rapid-acting insulin analog that is used to control high blood sugar in both adults and children who have diabetes. A prescription is needed to purchase the insulin.

“We know many people with diabetes struggle to manage the financial burden of this condition, and we are focused on helping by providing affordable solutions,” Dr. Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president, Walmart Health & Wellness. “We also know this is a condition that disproportionately impacts underserved populations.

“With ReliOn NovoLog insulin, we’re adding a high-quality medication for diabetes to the already affordable ReliOn line of products and continuing our commitment to improve access and lowering cost of care,” she added.

The ReliOn NovoLog insulin injection, which is being manufactured by Novo Nordisk for Walmart, will be available at store pharmacies this week and at Sam’s Club pharmacies in mid-July.

The ReliOn analog insulin is targeted toward diabetes patients who don’t have insurance or find it difficult to pay for the medication. Walmart already sells a $25 insulin product, but the medication is not considered as effective as analog insulin by some doctors and advocates at managing blood sugar levels, CNBC reported.

According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 34.2 million in the U.S. have diabetes, or 10.5% of the U.S. population. About 1.6 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year, including 187,000 children and adolescents.

Warren Moore, Walmart’s vice president at Walmart Health & Wellness, told CNBC that equates to about 14% of Walmart shoppers.

A report from the ADA indicated that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes increased 26% over a five-year period, from $245 billion in 2012 to $327 billion in 2017 when the cost was last examined.

Shares of Walmart were trading at $137.76 as of 10:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, down 34 cents, or 0.24%.