Californians will be able to buy low-cost, state-branded insulin next year, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.

The CalRX – California's program to develop and sell its own prescription medications – pens will be available to purchase for Californians starting Jan. 1, 2026.

"California didn't wait for the pharmaceutical industry to do the right thing — we took matters into our own hands," Newsom said in a statement Thursday.

Newsom's office is touting the CalRX suggested retail price of no more than $55 for a pack of five 3-mL pens, coming out to about $11 a pen.

Newsom and California leaders have been advocating for years for the state to produce its own insulin to lower the cost of the drug. The low-cost insulin California plans on making available comes after the state stru

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