Walmart Grows Healthcare Offerings With Rollout Of Private Label Insulin

After recently debuting a prescription savings program and unveiling a deal to acquire a telehealth provider, Walmart is rolling out “the first-ever private brand analog insulin,” according to a Tuesday (June 29) announcement.

The new offering, which is available only via the retailer’s ReliOn brand, will encompass analog insulin vials and FlexPen. Those items will save shoppers in the range of 58 percent to 75 percent off the cash price of branded analog insulin items, according to the announcement.

“We know many people with diabetes struggle to manage the financial burden of this condition, and we are focused on helping by providing affordable solutions. We also know this is a condition that disproportionately impacts underserved populations. With ReliOn NovoLog® insulin, we’re adding a high-quality medication for diabetes to the already affordable ReliOn line of products and continuing our commitment to improve access and lowering cost of care,” Dr. Cheryl Pegus, executive vice president, Walmart Health & Wellness, said in the announcement.

The new Novo Nordisk-made private label ReliOn™ NovoLog® Insulin (insulin aspart) injection is available in Walmart pharmacies this week.

The ReliOn NovoLog® analog insulin offering comes on the heels of Walmart’s past of debuting “solutions that increase access to quality, affordable health care resources” such as the $4 generic prescription program  rolled out over 10 years ago,” according to the announcement.

In May, Walmart Health struck a deal to buy multi-specialty telehealth provider MeMD. Dr. John Shufeldt established MeMD in 2010.

“Telehealth offers a great opportunity to expand access and reach consumers where they are and complements our brick-and-mortar Walmart Health locations. Today people expect omnichannel access to care, and adding telehealth to our Walmart Health care strategies allows us to provide in-person and digital care across our multiple assets and solutions,” Pegus said in a May announcement about the telehealth deal.

In June, news surfaced that Walmart+ is launching a members-only prescription savings program.