All Minnesotans, with or without insurance, can now buy Novo Nordisk’s insulin products for $35 per month for the next five years. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement with Denmark-based pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk that guarantees this policy.

The settlement resolves the Attorney General’s 2018 lawsuit alleging that Novo Nordisk deceptively priced its insulin, a lifesaving drug used to treat diabetes, requiring uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans to pay out-of-pocket costs based on the list price of the drugs – only to then negotiate lower prices by paying rebates to pharmacy benefit managers.

In 2024, Ellison reached similar settlements with Eli Lilly and Sanofi, the other two defendants in the 2018 lawsuit.

The settlement requires Novo Nordisk to provide insulin products – including Novolog, Tresiba, Fiasp, and Novolin, at any formulation and via any delivery method – at $35 per monthly prescription (three vials or two packs of pens) for customers paying with cash. Minnesotans with insurance can choose to not use their insurance and pay no more than $35 per month as well. 

Lower costs

This agreement will lower insulin costs by over 90% for many patients, AG Ellison pointed out.

Like Eli Lilly and Sanofi, Novo Nordisk has agreed to implement a texting system to assist pharmacists and patients to determine eligibility for low-cost insulin, and alert patients about this low-cost alternative at pharmacy counters throughout the state.

Finally, Novo Nordisk has committed to continuing its Patient Assistance Program. This provides free insulin to Minnesotans with an annual household income of less than or equal to 400% of the federal poverty level – or $124,800 for a family of four.

The Danish company denied wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement, which lasts five years and requires court approval.