ST. PAUL, Minn. — Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed outrage that the pharmaceutical industry has gone to court over a new law that requires insulin be provided free to needy diabetics. Ellison vowed to fight the pharma suit. “I’m defending it on behalf of all Minnesotans who believe that no one should die because they can’t afford their insulin,” Ellison said. “I’m defending it on behalf of all Minnesotans who believe people’s lives are more important than drug companies’ profits.” The law, which went into effect July 1, partly reflected public concern over insulin pricing. Insulin prices are set by manufacturers Lilly, Sanofi and Novo-Nordisk. Lilly’s Humalog was introduced in 1995 with a vial at $21. Inexplicably a vial now runs $270.
Earlier: Walz on pharma insulin suit: Cruel