The State of Maine has enacted legislation that will create a commission to assess whether the state has the resources to manufacture its own insulin.

The commission’s initial focus will be on the feasibility of producing insulin as part of the University of Maine system.

It will also examine the feasibility of providing the state-produced insulin to low-income residents at reduced, low or no cost through hospitals, pharmacies and healthcare providers.

Maine is the third state, along with California and Michigan, to consider producing its own insulin in an effort to make the essential drug more affordable.