US insulin prices yield further to political pressure

Bowing to pricing pressure in the key US market, French pharma major Sanofi (Euronext: SAN) has said it will cap the cost of its insulin products at $99 per month for certain patients.

The move follows an announcement from major US insurer Cigna that it would provide a new plan, called the Patient Assurance Program, which permits eligible people with diabetes to pay no more than $25 for a 30-day supply of insulin.

Cigna, which announced the plan in conjunction with its recent acquisition Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), is working with drugmakers to lower co-payments.