Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder. The body is unable to use the hormone insulin correctly which results in elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine while also disrupting the metabolism of carbohydrates. Type 1 diabetes is where a person is born without insulin and is reliant on it. Type 2 diabetes is different as it develops during a person's life, and while they do produce insulin, their body is unable to use it properly.
To keep glucose homeostasis, diabetic patients use insulin medication. These medications can range from injections to a bottle of pills to insulin pumps which sends insulin through tubes inserted directly in the skin. Although there are several options for diabetic patients, the price of these drugs is skyrocketing.
Americans are distraught at the rising price of insulin-and rightfully so. According to the American Diabetes Association, the average price for this life-saving, injectable drug used by nearly 10 million Americans with diabetes has tripled. On its online petition Stand Up for Affordable Insulin campaign, the ADA states that "No one who relies on insulin should have to wonder if they'll be able to afford it."
Nicole Smith-Holt lost her son Alec to ketosis (the body not having enough glucose for energy) because he couldn't afford the insulin he needed to treat his diabetes. He sadly passed away alone in his apartment, three days before payday. Smith-Holt said he was likely rationing his insulin so it would last until his next check, but when he was found, his insulin pen was empty.
But why have the prices increased? One cause can be linked to insurance companies who are providing less coverage to medications suited for type 1 diabetes patients so that they have to pay more out of pocket. Unlike patients with type 2 diabetes who can improve the impact of the disease and lessen their dependence on insulin through healthier diet and exercise, Type 1 patients do not make insulin at all and require several doses a day. These companies know that type 1 diabetic patients need insulin and yet continue to cut insurance coverage for the medication just so they can make more money.
Another cause of having higher insulin prices is that there are no generic brands for insulin. There is currently a monopoly of insulin medications where the companies can raise the prices knowing consumers don't have any other options. These companies have a lock on the patents for newer forms of insulin so other companies cannot create insulin.
I believe that if people took a stand and campaigned against the high insulin prices, then these companies will listen and try to reduce their prices or increase the coverage they provide.
