The cost of insulin nearly doubled between 2012 and 2016 leading to some US citizens with diabetes rationing their medicine to survive.
With a vial of insulin costing around $300 in the United States, people prescribed with insulin for their diabetes have been hit hard with Hispanic, Asian and Black patients appearing to be the biggest victims of the unregulated price rises as they are less likely to be insured.
According to the American Medical Association, one in every four patients with diabetes are rationing their insulin.
Black, Hispanic and Asian people have been the biggest victims of the unregulated rise in the price of the essential drug as they are less likely to be insured. One in every four insulin dependent diabetes patients are rationing their vital supply, according to a study made by the Journal of American Medical Association.
Deaths have been associated with patients who have self-rationed because of the cost.
Despite the claims of the drug companies, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, a senior researcher at the Washington DC-based institute and the report’s co-author, was quoted as saying by Reuters: “It’s not that individuals are using more insulin or that new products are particularly innovative or provide immense benefits.”
Drug-makers claim they need to raise the US list prices to offset step rebates they have to offer to get insurance plan coverage.
Attempts have been made by politicians to bring in legislation to reduce medicine costs but have so far not succeeded. At a State level the Attorney General of Minnesota sued three insulin manufacturers, accusing them of raising prices deceptively. The case is ongoing.
Advocacy Action – Are insulin prices rising in your country/region? How is that affecting your health care system? Are there any measures you could propose to ensure patients are never forced to ration their life saving drugs?