Walgreens Prescription Savings Club Offers Steep Savings on Viatris’ Long-Acting Insulin

Rhea-AI Summary

Walgreens has announced that members of its Prescription Savings Club can save up to 80% on long-acting insulins, specifically Insulin Glargine (insulin glargine-yfgn), co-developed with Viatris and Biocon Biologics. The insulin will cost $71.99 for a vial and $84.99 for a box of five pens. Increasing insulin prices have led many diabetics to reduce or skip doses; therefore, this initiative aims to improve access and adherence among those uninsured or underinsured, benefiting over 34 million adults with diabetes in the U.S.

Positive

• Walgreens offers Insulin Glargine at a competitive price, $71.99 for a vial and $84.99 for a box of five pens, which may enhance market share.
• The Prescription Savings Club provides substantial savings, potentially boosting membership and improving customer loyalty.

Negative

• None.

Members can save up to 80 percent off the cash price of comparable long-acting insulins purchased at Walgreens

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Walgreens today announced that Viatris’ long-acting interchangeable Insulin Glargine (insulin glargine-yfgn) injection, co-developed with Biocon Biologics, will be offered through the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, saving members up to 80 percent off the cash price of comparable long-acting insulins purchased at Walgreens. Insulin Glargine (insulin glargine-yfgn) will be offered to Walgreens Prescription Savings Club members as a vial for $71.99 and a box of five pens for $84.99. On July 28, Insulin Glargine (insulin glargine-yfgn) was the first insulin biosimilar granted FDA interchangeability with the reference product Lantus® (insulin glargine), a long-acting insulin for the treatment of diabetes.

“Reducing costs for insulin is critical to driving better adherence and improving health outcomes, particularly among those who are uninsured or underinsured,” said Rick Gates, senior vice president, Pharmacy, Walgreens. “Walgreens has the experience and flexibility to work with a multitude of payors, providers and manufacturers to help improve health outcomes and lower overall costs. The savings that we can offer with this prescription is another example of how we help people with chronic conditions, like diabetes, better manage their prescription costs and overall health.”

Over 34 million adults, or 13 percent of the adult population, in the U.S. are living with diabetes.ⁱ Of the diabetic U.S. population, nearly a quarter uses insulin for their treatment.ⁱⁱ However, with insulin prices on the rise, roughly a quarter of those living with diabetes dependent on insulin either reduce or skip their dose altogether.^iii-iv

Patients can easily enroll in the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club for an annual fee of $20 per individual and $35 per family. The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is not insurance but a discount prescription drug program offering savings of up to 80 percent off cash retail prices of prescriptions purchased at participating Walgreens. Savings apply to thousands of prescriptions, including many value-priced generics available at $5, $10 and $15 price points.

Walgreens Prescriptions Savings Club membership benefits include:

• Discounts on thousands of generic, preventive and lifestyle medications insurance may not cover;
• Discounts on eligible pet medications;
• Savings on nebulizers and diabetic supplies to better aid in diabetes management;
• Up to 20 percent savings on most immunizations administered at Walgreens;
• And a 10 percent bonus credit on eligible purchases of Walgreens brand and Nice! products purchased in store.

To learn more and enroll in the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, visit Walgreens.com/RxSavingsClub or contact a Walgreens pharmacist via phone, in-store or using the Walgreens app.

The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is available to customers in 45 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Program is not available in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Mississippi and Washington. Amount of the discount may vary based on type of item/service Member purchases, but Providers will not charge the Member more than the discounted rate. Program participants can save up to 80 percent off cash retail prices for prescriptions purchased from participating Walgreens stores. Actual savings may vary. Cannot be combined with any form of insurance other pharmacy benefit programs. The Program does not make any payments to Providers. Member is entirely responsible for paying discounted price to the Provider at time of service.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the United States segment of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an integrated pharmacy, healthcare and retail leader serving millions of customers and patients every day, with a 170-year heritage of caring for communities. As America’s most loved pharmacy, health and beauty company, Walgreens purpose is to champion the health and well-being of every community in America. Operating nearly 9,000 retail locations across America, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Walgreens is proud to be a neighborhood health destination serving approximately 9 million customers each day. Walgreens pharmacists play a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system by providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services. To best meet the needs of customers and patients, Walgreens offers a true omnichannel experience, with fully integrated physical and digital platforms, supported by the latest technology to deliver high-quality products and services in local communities nationwide.

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ⁱ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pdfs/data/statistics/national-diabetes-statistics-report.pdf
ⁱⁱ Cefalu, William T., et al. "Insulin access and affordability working group: conclusions and recommendations." Diabetes Care 41.6 (2018): 1299-1311. https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/41/6/1299
ⁱⁱⁱAmerican Diabetes Association, Statistics – The Cost of Diabetes, ref. study “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017” (2018). https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/cost-diabetes
^iv Herkert, Darby, et al. "Cost-related insulin underuse among patients with diabetes." JAMA internal medicine 179.1 (2019): 112-114. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2717499

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211118006174/en/

Walgreens PR Contact:

Rebekah Pajak

media@walgreens.com

Source: Walgreens

FAQ

What savings does Walgreens offer on insulin for Prescription Savings Club members?

Walgreens members can save up to 80% on long-acting insulins, including Insulin Glargine, priced at $71.99 per vial and $84.99 for a box of five pens.

When was Insulin Glargine (insulin glargine-yfgn) approved for interchangeability?

Insulin Glargine was granted FDA interchangeability on July 28.

Why is Walgreens promoting Insulin Glargine?

Walgreens aims to improve access and lower costs for diabetic patients, addressing the issue of rising insulin prices that affect adherence.

What is the annual fee for the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club?

The annual fee for the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is $20 for individuals and $35 for families.

In which locations is the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club available?

The Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is available in 45 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, but not in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Washington.