The absurdly high cost of insulin, explained

[sargentodiaz]

As one who uses a lot of insulin on a daily basis, this is of serious interest to me. I read where the hurricane that devastated Puerto Rico destroyed a major insulin provider.​

The cost of the four most popular types of insulin has tripled over the past decade, and the out-of-pocket prescription costs patients now face have doubled. By 2016, the average price of insulin rose to $450 per month — and costs continue to rise, so much so that as many as one in four people with diabetes are now skimping on or skipping lifesaving doses.​

Skip​

One clear solution to the problem would be to bring a generic version of insulin to the market. There are currently no true generic options available — though there are several rebranded and biosimilar insulins — in part because companies have made those incremental improvements to insulin products, which has allowed them to keep their formulations under patent, and because older insulin formulations have fallen out of fashion.​

Much more @ https://www.vox.com/2019/4/3/18293950/why-is-insulin-so-expensive
​

Yes, some insulin is made from pigs. And cows. But the major source comes from labs.​

Firstly, the human gene responsible for producing insulin is extracted. This is then inserted into the genetic material of bacteria or yeast cells. As these cells replicate and multiply, they produce insulin. In the end, the insulin they produce gets purified and is ready for medical use​

From https://blog.glycoleap.com/where-does-insulin-come-from/​

​

 

[Rosemarie]

I wonder just how justified the high price really is? The drug companies are the only people to profit from the current increase in diabetes, as well as other illnesses. Doctors are encouraged to prescribe drugs when, often a change of diet will help a condition (I'm not suggesting this is the case with you, santodiaz). I know this from my own personal experience.

 

[Aunt Bea]

It's very hard to know the true cost.

I just got a 90 day supply that has a declared usual and customary price/value of $2,239.99 but it cost me $94.00 through my health insurance provider and Medicare.

 

[win231]

You may qualify for a "Financial Hardship" cost reduction from Medi-Cal if you're on a limited income. After I was approved, I got a letter saying, "Take this letter to your pharmacist & they will keep your number on file & your maximum cost for any prescription (including insulin) will be $3.80. When I went to pick up my 2 vials of insulin, the pharmacy clerk said, "That will be $280.00. After I gave her the letter, she gave it to her supervisor who went to her computer for 15 minutes (probably verifying everything). When she came back, she said, "That will be $3.80."

 

[sargentodiaz]

While the original inventor refused to file a patent so it was free to all, BigPharm has filed thousands of patent applications which has made the cost of Insulin soar. An example is the form of insulin I use, pen containers.

I'd be willing to bet they cost a heck of a lot more than vials.

 

[Aunt Bea]

That is what I use and they are great when they work.

Some help is available direct from Lantus for folks that do not have insurance.

https://www.lantus.com/diabetes-sav...VA1YMCh2vCgCuEAAYASAAEgI_UPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

While the original inventor refused to file a patent so it was free to all, BigPharm has filed thousands of patent applications which has made the cost of Insulin soar. An example is the form of insulin I use, pen containers.

I'd be willing to bet they cost a heck of a lot more than vials.

 

[Geezerette]

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan, Hmo type. Walmart has its own brand of insulin called Relion Novolin 70/30 which retails for $24.88 a vial with no insurance involvement. . I've been using it successfully for a couple of years now instead of Novalog 70/30 when a pharmacist at a "sample clinic" I was going to for insulin after once again being in the "donut hole" every year told me about it. He even told me they weren't supposed to tell people about it! I was either getting a few vials free there or laying out as much as $125 at a drug store for what was usually a $45 copay when I got to the Donut Hole & still had a couple of other cheap generics to take that were on the Walmart $4 list.
The test strips are another whole racket. With insurance I pay $10 for a vial of 50 & usually use 3 day.

 

[fmdog44]

The first shot of Humira is $1,650. One shot!