Diabetes Patients at Risk From Rising Insulin Prices (USA)

[Northerner]

A surprisingly large number of people with diabetes are using less insulin than prescribed because of the rising cost of the drug, putting themselves in danger of serious complications. Those are the findings of a small new study by researchers at Yale University, who found that at one clinic in New Haven, Conn., one in four patients admitted to cutting back on insulin use because of cost.

Everyone with Type 1 diabetes needs to take insulin, while about a third of those with Type 2 diabetes do. Not getting enough insulin can have severe consequences for someone with diabetes who does not produce enough of the hormone, which regulates levels of glucose in the blood. Within a week or so without insulin, people with Type 1 diabetes die.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/well/diabetes-patients-at-risk-from-rising-insulin-prices.html

Fred Banting will be spinning in his grave

 

[mikeyB]

The cost of insulin is rising in the US because the NHS keeps a tight lid on rapacious drug companies. It’s not any more expensive to produce - there isn’t a shortage of modified yeasts and bacteria. It’s not even very high tech. I’m sure we’ll see Indian companies making analog insulins soon, particularly Novorapid and Lantus, both going off patent, which is why the manufacturers of these insulin have produced newer versions without going to the expense of developing new insulins.

So this is just profiteering at the expense of Americans with diabetes. And a warning to everyone heading to the US for holidays. Don’t forget your insulin.