WASHINGTON — As lawmakers took aim at high insulin costs, two major insulin manufacturers increased their lobbying spending last year, according to new federal disclosures.
Insulin has become the poster child for dysfunction in the drug pricing debate, and lawmakers are considering enacting insulin-specific policies including allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for all insulin products and capping out-of-pocket monthly costs for patients in Medicare and the private insurance market.
Those policies would directly impact the three companies that dominate the insulin market in the United States. Eli Lilly spent $7 million on lobbying in 2021, 29% more than the year before, and Novo Nordisk spent $3.2 million, or 24% more than in 2020, according to newly released lobbying disclosures. Sanofi’s lobbying spending remained relatively constant.
This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers
Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+.
Already have an account? Log in
About the Author Reprints
To submit a correction request, please visit our Contact Us page.
