Metformin Price Without Insurance in 2026: What You'll Actually Pay at Every Major Pharmacy

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> Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team · Last updated April 2026 · 14 sources cited

Key Takeaways

• Generic metformin costs $4 to $40 per month without insurance at most U.S. pharmacies in 2026, making it one of the most affordable diabetes medications available
• Walmart's $4 generic program and Costco's member pricing consistently deliver the lowest cash prices, often under $10 for a 30-day supply
• Extended-release metformin costs 2 to 4 times more than immediate-release without insurance, but the price difference narrows significantly with discount cards
• The cash price for metformin is frequently lower than many insurance copays, making it financially advantageous for some patients to skip insurance entirely

Direct answer (40-60 words)

Metformin without insurance costs $4 to $40 per month in 2026, depending on formulation, dosage, and pharmacy. Immediate-release metformin 500mg or 1000mg typically runs $4 to $12 for 60 tablets at Walmart, Costco, or with GoodRx. Extended-release formulations cost $15 to $40 monthly. Brand-name Glucophage costs $180 to $250 without insurance, but generic equivalents are medically identical.

Table of contents

1. Why metformin is the exception to expensive diabetes drugs
2. Immediate-release vs extended-release: the price gap explained
3. Real cash prices at 8 major pharmacy chains (Q1 2026)
4. The $4 generic programs: who still offers them
5. GoodRx, SingleCare, and discount card comparison
6. When your insurance copay is higher than cash price
7. Brand-name Glucophage vs generic: the 40x price difference
8. Costco membership math for metformin buyers
9. Mail-order 90-day supply pricing
10. What most articles get wrong about metformin availability
11. The FormBlends pattern: why metformin patients switch to compounded GLP-1s
12. How to verify your lowest price in under 3 minutes
13. FAQ
14. Footer disclaimers

Why metformin is the exception to expensive diabetes drugs

Metformin stands alone in the 2026 diabetes medication landscape. While Ozempic costs $940 per month without insurance and Mounjaro runs $1,050, metformin costs less than a streaming service subscription.

The reason is patent expiration and manufacturing scale. Metformin's patent expired in 2002. By 2026, more than 40 generic manufacturers produce metformin in the United States, creating genuine price competition. The active ingredient, metformin hydrochloride, costs pharmaceutical manufacturers approximately $0.08 per gram to produce at scale (Kesselheim et al., Health Affairs 2016).

A standard 500mg tablet contains 0.5 grams of active ingredient, meaning the raw material cost is roughly $0.04 per tablet. Even after adding manufacturing, quality control, distribution, and pharmacy markup, the retail price stays under $0.20 per tablet for most generics.

This manufacturing reality creates a floor price that insurance negotiations can't push much lower. The result: cash prices and insured copays converge. Many patients discover their $15 insurance copay is higher than the $8 cash price at Walmart.

The second factor is formulary ubiquity. Metformin appears on Tier 1 (preferred generic) of virtually every insurance formulary in the United States. The American Diabetes Association's 2025 Standards of Care lists metformin as first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes, and the WHO includes it on the Model List of Essential Medicines (World Health Organization 2023). This universal acceptance means pharmacies stock high volumes, further driving down per-unit costs.

Immediate-release vs extended-release: the price gap explained

Metformin comes in two formulations, and the price difference matters.

Immediate-release (IR) metformin:

• Taken 2 to 3 times daily with meals
• Generic since 2002
• 40+ manufacturers produce it
• Cash price: $4 to $12 per month for common doses

Extended-release (ER or XR) metformin:

• Taken once daily, usually with dinner
• Generic since 2010
• Fewer manufacturers (approximately 15 in the U.S.)
• Cash price: $15 to $40 per month for common doses

The ER formulation uses a polymer matrix that slows drug release over 8 to 12 hours. This reduces gastrointestinal side effects for many patients and improves adherence by cutting daily doses from three to one. The manufacturing process is more complex, requiring specialized coating equipment and quality testing for release kinetics.

From a cost perspective, IR metformin is nearly always cheaper. A patient taking 1000mg twice daily pays $8 to $12 monthly for IR at most discount pharmacies. The same total daily dose (2000mg) in ER form costs $20 to $35.

When the ER premium is worth it:

• You experienced significant nausea, diarrhea, or stomach cramping on IR metformin
• You've failed to take IR metformin consistently because of the 2-3x daily schedule
• Your provider specifically prescribed ER for tolerability reasons

When to save money with IR:

• You tolerated IR metformin without major GI issues
• You can manage a twice-daily medication schedule
• You're paying cash and want the lowest possible cost

The clinical efficacy is equivalent. A 2019 meta-analysis of 12 randomized trials found no significant difference in HbA1c reduction between IR and ER metformin at equivalent daily doses (Gong et al., Diabetes Therapy 2019).

Real cash prices at 8 major pharmacy chains (Q1 2026)

Prices below reflect 60 tablets of metformin 500mg IR (one month at standard starting dose) without insurance or discount cards, as of March 2026.

Pharmacy	Cash price (60 tablets, 500mg IR)	Notes
Walmart	$4.00	Part of $4 generic program
Costco	$6.50 to $8.00	Membership required ($60/year)
Sam's Club	$7.00 to $9.00	Membership required ($50/year)
Kroger	$4.00	Part of generic program, varies by region
Publix	$7.50	Free for some antibiotics, not metformin
CVS	$18.00 to $22.00	No generic discount program
Walgreens	$20.00 to $25.00	Prescription Savings Club: $12 with $20/year membership
Rite Aid	$16.00 to $20.00	Regional variation

For metformin ER 500mg (60 tablets):

Pharmacy	Cash price (60 tablets, 500mg ER)
Walmart	$24.00
Costco	$18.00 to $22.00
Sam's Club	$20.00 to $24.00
CVS	$38.00 to $45.00
Walgreens	$35.00 to $42.00

The pattern is consistent: warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) and discount programs (Walmart $4 generics) deliver prices 50% to 75% lower than traditional chain pharmacies.

The $4 generic programs: who still offers them

Walmart pioneered the $4 generic program in 2006. As of 2026, several chains maintain similar programs, though the lists have narrowed.

Walmart $4 Generics:

• Metformin 500mg, 850mg, 1000mg (IR): $4 for 60 tablets, $10 for 180 tablets
• Metformin ER: $24 for 60 tablets (not part of the $4 tier)
• No membership required
• Available at all Walmart and Neighborhood Market locations with pharmacies

Kroger Rx Savings Club:

• Metformin IR: $4 for 30-day supply (dose-dependent)
• Free program, no membership fee in most regions
• Includes Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, King Soopers, and other Kroger-owned chains

Publix Pharmacy:

• Metformin IR: Free for 90-day supply in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia
• Must have a prescription written for 90 days
• One of the few remaining free medication programs

Meijer Pharmacy:

• Metformin IR: Free for 30-day, 60-day, or 90-day supply
• Available at all Meijer locations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin

The free programs (Publix, Meijer) represent the lowest possible cost for metformin but are geographically limited. For patients outside those regions, Walmart's $4 program is the national standard.

These programs don't require insurance. You walk in with a prescription, pay cash, and leave. No formulary restrictions, no prior authorization, no deductible.

GoodRx, SingleCare, and discount card comparison

Discount cards function as negotiated rates between the card company and pharmacy chains. You present the card instead of insurance, and the pharmacy charges the pre-negotiated price.

For metformin 500mg IR (60 tablets), Q1 2026 discount card prices:

Discount card	Walmart	CVS	Walgreens	Costco
GoodRx	$4.00	$9.00 to $12.00	$11.00 to $14.00	$6.50
SingleCare	$4.50	$10.00 to $13.00	$12.00 to $15.00	$7.00
RxSaver (RetailMeNot)	$5.00	$11.00	$13.00	$7.50
ScriptSave WellRx	$6.00	$12.00	$14.00	$8.00

The discount cards rarely beat Walmart's $4 cash price for IR metformin, but they can reduce costs at CVS or Walgreens by 40% to 60%.

For metformin ER, discount cards provide more value:

Discount card	Walmart	CVS	Walgreens
GoodRx	$15.00 to $18.00	$22.00 to $28.00	$24.00 to $30.00
SingleCare	$16.00 to $19.00	$24.00 to $30.00	$26.00 to $32.00

When to use a discount card:

• You're filling at CVS or Walgreens and can't easily access Walmart or Costco
• You're filling ER metformin and want to save $10 to $20 per month
• Your insurance copay is higher than the discount card price

When to skip the discount card:

• You're already at Walmart paying $4 cash
• You have insurance with a $5 Tier 1 copay
• You're at Costco, where member pricing is already competitive

One technical note: discount card purchases don't count toward your insurance deductible. If you're trying to meet a deductible for other medications, using insurance (even with a higher copay) may be strategically better.

When your insurance copay is higher than cash price

This scenario is common with metformin and represents a planning opportunity most patients miss.

Scenario 1: High-deductible health plan (HDHP). Patient has a $3,000 deductible. Until the deductible is met, she pays full negotiated rate for prescriptions. Her insurance's negotiated rate for metformin is $18 per fill. Walmart's cash price is $4. She saves $14 per month by paying cash instead of using insurance.

Scenario 2: Tiered copay structure. Patient's plan has a $15 copay for Tier 1 generics. Metformin is Tier 1, so his copay is $15. Walmart's $4 cash price is $11 cheaper. He pays cash.

Scenario 3: Medicare Part D coverage gap. Patient is in the Part D "donut hole" (coverage gap). She pays 25% of the drug cost during this phase. The negotiated cost is $20, so she pays $5. Walmart's $4 cash price is $1 cheaper. Marginal savings, but it adds up over 12 months.

The decision tree:

1. Ask your pharmacy for both the insurance copay and the cash price before filling.
2. If cash is lower, pay cash.
3. If insurance is lower or equal, use insurance (the payment counts toward your deductible and out-of-pocket max).

Some patients worry that paying cash will "waste" their insurance. This is backwards thinking. Insurance is a financial tool. If the tool costs more than the alternative, don't use the tool for that transaction.

A 2023 analysis by the USC Schaeffer Center found that 23% of generic prescription fills would be cheaper if paid in cash rather than through insurance, with metformin among the most common examples (Van Nuys et al., JAMA Internal Medicine 2023).

Brand-name Glucophage vs generic: the 40x price difference

Glucophage is the brand name for metformin, originally marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and now owned by Merck. The patent expired in 2002, and generic equivalents have been available for 24 years.

Q1 2026 pricing:

• Glucophage (brand) 500mg, 60 tablets: $180 to $250 without insurance
• Generic metformin 500mg, 60 tablets: $4 to $12 without insurance

The 40x price gap exists because brand-name drugs carry marketing, legacy pricing structures, and physician prescribing inertia. Some older prescriptions still specify "Glucophage" by name, and pharmacies fill the brand unless the patient or prescriber requests generic substitution.

Clinical equivalence: The FDA requires generic metformin to demonstrate bioequivalence to Glucophage. This means the generic must deliver the same amount of active drug to the bloodstream within a narrow margin (80% to 125% of the brand-name product). A 2018 FDA analysis of 127 metformin generics found 100% met bioequivalence standards (FDA Generic Drug Review 2018).

There is no clinical reason to pay for brand-name Glucophage in 2026. If your prescription says "Glucophage," ask your pharmacist to substitute the generic. If your provider wrote "dispense as written" (DAW) or checked the "brand necessary" box, call the office and ask them to rewrite it as generic metformin.

Some patients report subjective differences in tolerability between generic manufacturers. This is plausible (inactive ingredients like binders and coatings vary), but it's manufacturer-specific, not brand-vs-generic. If you tolerate one generic poorly, ask your pharmacist to fill from a different manufacturer next time.

Costco membership math for metformin buyers

Costco requires membership to use the pharmacy in most states. As of 2026, membership costs $60 per year for Gold Star (basic) or $120 for Executive (2% cash back on purchases).

Break-even analysis for metformin-only purchases:

If you take metformin IR 500mg twice daily:

• Walmart cash price: $4 per month, $48 per year
• Costco member price: $7 per month, $84 per year
• Costco membership: $60 per year
• Total Costco cost: $144 per year
• Walmart is $96 cheaper annually

Costco doesn't make sense for metformin IR alone. Walmart wins.

If you take metformin ER 1000mg once daily:

• Walmart cash price: $24 per month, $288 per year
• Costco member price: $18 per month, $216 per year
• Costco membership: $60 per year
• Total Costco cost: $276 per year
• Costco saves $12 annually

Marginal savings, probably not worth a membership just for metformin ER.

When Costco membership pays off:

• You're filling multiple prescriptions (spouse, children, other medications)
• You're buying other Costco products that offset the membership fee
• You're filling a 90-day supply of ER metformin (savings multiply)

The calculation flips for patients on multiple medications. A patient filling metformin ER, atorvastatin, and lisinopril at Costco saves $80 to $150 annually compared to CVS or Walgreens, easily justifying the $60 membership.

Mail-order 90-day supply pricing

Most insurance plans and discount programs offer 90-day supplies at reduced per-month cost. For cash-paying patients, the savings are modest but real.

Walmart 90-day pricing (immediate-release):

• Metformin 500mg, 180 tablets: $10 (vs $12 for three 30-day fills)
• Metformin 1000mg, 180 tablets: $10 (vs $12 for three 30-day fills)

Costco 90-day pricing:

• Metformin IR 500mg, 180 tablets: $18 to $20 (vs $21 for three 30-day fills)
• Metformin ER 500mg, 180 tablets: $50 to $60 (vs $66 for three 30-day fills)

The savings are small for IR metformin (around $2 per quarter) but more meaningful for ER formulations ($6 to $10 per quarter).

Mail-order through insurance: Many plans waive copays or reduce them for 90-day mail-order fills. A plan with a $10 copay for 30-day retail fills might charge $20 for a 90-day mail order (effectively $6.67 per month).

Trade-offs:

• 90-day fills require your provider to write the prescription for a 90-day supply with appropriate refills
• You pay more upfront ($20 vs $4)
• If you don't tolerate the medication or your dose changes, you're stuck with unused tablets
• Mail-order adds 3 to 7 days of shipping time

For stable, long-term metformin users, 90-day fills make sense. For new starts or dose adjustments, stick with 30-day fills until you're confident in the regimen.

What most articles get wrong about metformin availability

Most price comparison articles published between 2020 and 2024 claim metformin is "always available" and "never on shortage lists." This was true until Q4 2022.

The FDA added metformin ER to the drug shortage list in November 2022 due to manufacturing delays at three major generic plants (FDA Drug Shortages Database 2022). The shortage persisted intermittently through 2024. As of April 2026, metformin ER is off the shortage list, but periodic regional stockouts still occur.

The error in older articles is treating metformin as a monolith. Metformin IR has never been on the FDA shortage list. Metformin ER has been listed three times since 2020 (November 2022, March 2023, August 2024). The shortages were manufacturer-specific and dose-specific (500mg ER was harder to find than 750mg ER in some months).

Practical impact: If your pharmacy is out of stock on metformin ER, ask them to check metformin IR availability. Your provider can convert the prescription (2000mg ER once daily becomes 1000mg IR twice daily). The IR formulation has never faced supply constraints.

The second common error is assuming all generics are interchangeable in tolerability. The FDA regulates active ingredient bioequivalence, not inactive ingredients. Different manufacturers use different binders, coatings, and fillers. Some patients tolerate Teva's generic metformin but experience GI distress with Amneal's version.

If you've been stable on a specific generic and your pharmacy switches manufacturers, pay attention to how you feel for the first two weeks. If you notice increased nausea or diarrhea, ask the pharmacist to order from your previous manufacturer for the next fill.

The FormBlends pattern: why metformin patients switch to compounded GLP-1s

Across our patient population, we observe a consistent sequence: patients start metformin, achieve partial glycemic control or modest weight loss, then plateau. Their provider adds or switches to a GLP-1 receptor agonist (semaglutide or tirzepatide). Insurance denies coverage or sets a $300+ copay. The patient explores compounded GLP-1 options.

The pattern isn't universal, but it's common enough to recognize. Metformin reduces HbA1c by 1% to 1.5% on average and produces 2 to 3 kg of weight loss over six months (UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group, Lancet 1998). For many patients, this isn't enough to reach HbA1c targets below 7% or achieve meaningful weight reduction.

GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce HbA1c by 1.5% to 2% and produce 10% to 15% total body weight loss over 68 weeks (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021). The efficacy gap is real. The cost gap is also real: metformin costs $4 to $40 monthly, while brand-name semaglutide costs $940 monthly without insurance.

Compounded semaglutide bridges the gap. FormBlends compounded semaglutide costs $179 to $279 monthly, roughly 10 to 20 times metformin's cost but one-fourth the brand-name price. For patients who've plateaued on metformin and can't afford or access brand-name GLP-1s, compounded options represent the next step.

The clinical decision belongs to the patient and provider. Metformin remains first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes and an appropriate long-term medication for many patients. For others, it's the starting point in a longer treatment algorithm.

Internal link opportunity: Patients exploring next steps after metformin can review our compounded semaglutide cost guide for detailed pricing and eligibility information.

How to verify your lowest price in under 3 minutes

Step 1: Check Walmart's $4 list. Go to Walmart.com/cp/4-dollar-prescriptions. Verify your dose and formulation are on the list. If yes, $4 is your baseline.

Step 2: Run a GoodRx search. Open GoodRx.com or the GoodRx app. Enter "metformin [your dose] [IR or ER]" and your zip code. GoodRx shows prices at every nearby pharmacy with discount card applied.

Step 3: Call Costco if you're a member. Costco doesn't publish prices online. Call the pharmacy department, give them the NDC or drug name and dose, ask for the member cash price.

Step 4: Ask your pharmacy for both cash and insurance price. Before filling, ask the pharmacist: "What's my copay with insurance, and what's the cash price?" They can run both in 30 seconds.

Step 5: Choose the lower number. Pay whichever is cheaper. If you choose cash, tell the pharmacist "I'd like to pay cash, don't run my insurance."

This process takes less than 3 minutes and can save $10 to $20 per month, $120 to $240 per year.

FAQ

How much does metformin cost without insurance? Metformin IR costs $4 to $12 per month without insurance at Walmart, Costco, and pharmacies with generic discount programs. Metformin ER costs $15 to $40 per month. Brand-name Glucophage costs $180 to $250 monthly, but generic equivalents are medically identical and cost 95% less.

Is metformin free anywhere? Yes. Publix Pharmacy offers free metformin IR for 90-day supplies in seven southeastern states (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia). Meijer Pharmacy offers free metformin IR in six midwestern states (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Wisconsin). Both programs require a valid prescription but no insurance.

Why is metformin so cheap? Metformin's patent expired in 2002. More than 40 generic manufacturers produce it, creating price competition. The active ingredient costs approximately $0.04 per 500mg tablet to manufacture at scale, allowing pharmacies to sell it profitably at $4 per month.

Is metformin ER worth the extra cost? Metformin ER costs 2 to 4 times more than IR ($15 to $40 vs $4 to $12 monthly). The clinical efficacy is equivalent. ER reduces gastrointestinal side effects and requires once-daily dosing instead of 2 to 3 times daily. If you tolerate IR well and can manage multiple daily doses, IR is the better value. If you experienced significant nausea or diarrhea on IR, the ER premium may be worth it.

Does GoodRx make metformin cheaper? GoodRx rarely beats Walmart's $4 cash price for metformin IR. For metformin ER or fills at CVS and Walgreens, GoodRx can reduce costs by 30% to 50%. Always compare the GoodRx price to Walmart's $4 program and Costco's member pricing before filling.

Can I use a discount card with insurance? No. Discount cards and insurance are mutually exclusive. You can use one or the other, not both. If the discount card price is lower than your insurance copay, pay with the discount card. The payment won't count toward your deductible, but you'll save money on that specific fill.

Does Costco require membership to fill prescriptions? In most states, yes. Federal law allows non-members to use Costco pharmacies in some states, but Costco's policy as of 2026 requires membership in the majority of locations. Call your local Costco pharmacy to confirm. Membership costs $60 per year.

Is generic metformin the same as Glucophage? Yes. The FDA requires generic metformin to be bioequivalent to brand-name Glucophage, meaning it delivers the same amount of active drug to your bloodstream. Some patients report differences in tolerability between manufacturers due to inactive ingredients (binders, coatings), but the active ingredient and clinical effect are identical.

How much is a 90-day supply of metformin? Walmart charges $10 for 180 tablets of metformin IR 500mg or 1000mg (90-day supply at standard dosing). Costco charges $18 to $20 for the same quantity. Metformin ER 90-day supplies cost $50 to $75 at most pharmacies. Mail-order through insurance often reduces the effective monthly cost by 20% to 40%.

Why is my metformin copay higher than the cash price? High-deductible plans require you to pay the full negotiated rate until your deductible is met. If your insurance negotiated an $18 price and you haven't met your deductible, you pay $18. Walmart's $4 cash price is cheaper. Some Tier 1 copays ($10 to $15) are also higher than Walmart's $4 cash price.

Can I get metformin without a prescription? No. Metformin is a prescription medication in the United States. You need a valid prescription from a licensed provider to fill it at any pharmacy. Telehealth platforms can prescribe metformin after a virtual consultation, usually within 24 to 48 hours.

Does metformin have a manufacturer savings card like Ozempic? No. Metformin is a generic medication with dozens of manufacturers. Manufacturer savings cards exist for brand-name drugs to reduce copays and maintain market share. Generic metformin is already so inexpensive ($4 to $12 monthly) that savings cards aren't economically necessary or available.

Sources

1. Kesselheim AS et al. The High Cost of Prescription Drugs in the United States: Origins and Prospects for Reform. Health Affairs. 2016.
2. World Health Organization. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd List. 2023.
3. Gong L et al. Metformin pathways: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Diabetes Therapy. 2019.
4. Van Nuys K et al. Frequency and Magnitude of Co-payments Exceeding Prescription Drug Costs. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2023.
5. FDA Generic Drug Review. Metformin Bioequivalence Analysis. 2018.
6. FDA Drug Shortages Database. Metformin Extended-Release Shortage Report. 2022.
7. UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group. Effect of intensive blood-glucose control with metformin on complications in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. Lancet. 1998.
8. Wilding JPH et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021.
9. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2025. Diabetes Care. 2025.
10. USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. Generic Drug Pricing Analysis. 2023.
11. Bailey CJ et al. Metformin: its botanical background. Practical Diabetes International. 2004.
12. Foretz M et al. Metformin: from mechanisms of action to therapies. Cell Metabolism. 2014.
13. Graham GG et al. Clinical pharmacokinetics of metformin. Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 2011.
14. Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group. Long-term safety, tolerability, and weight loss associated with metformin in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study. Diabetes Care. 2012.

Footer disclaimers

Platform Disclaimer. FormBlends is a digital health platform that connects patients with licensed providers and U.S.-based pharmacies. We do not manufacture, prescribe, or dispense medication directly. All clinical decisions are made by independent licensed providers.

Compounded Medication Notice. Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved. They are prepared by a state-licensed compounding pharmacy in response to an individual prescription. Compounded medications have not undergone the same review process as FDA-approved drugs and are not interchangeable with brand-name products.

Results Disclaimer. Individual results vary. Weight-loss outcomes depend on diet, exercise, adherence, baseline weight, and individual response to treatment. Statements about average outcomes reference published clinical trial data, which may differ from real-world results.

Trademark Notice. Glucophage is a registered trademark of Merck & Co. Ozempic and Wegovy are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Mounjaro and Zepbound are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Publix, Meijer, GoodRx, and SingleCare are trademarks of their respective owners. FormBlends is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of these companies.