The United States’ Insulin Crisis
2020-06-26
Everyone with type 1 diabetes and many people with type 2 diabetes require daily insulin injections to live, but there is a unique crisis going on in the United States. People with diabetes are getting sick or dying from their inability to access insulin. Others are left making difficult decisions, cutting back on or “rationing” their insulin, taking extra jobs, crowdfunding, or forgoing paying bills in order to afford life-sustaining medication. High-quality, modern insulin must be available to people with diabetes regardless of employment or insurance status, across all demographics, without barriers and at an affordable and predictable price point.
Need help accessing insulin in the U.S.? Head to GetInsulin.org to create a customized access plan—find copay cards and assistance programs you may qualify for based on your location, types of insulin you use, income level and insurance coverage.
Navigating healthcare in the United States
All About Insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood, effectively turning food into fuel for the body. A person is diagnosed with diabetes once the body is n...MORE
Health Insurance Guide for T1D
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Managing Diabetes Without Health Insurance
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Glossary for Navigating U.S. Healthcare
The U.S. healthcare system is complex; this glossary clarifies some of the terms that most apply to someone living with type 1 diabetes. MORE
Health Insurance Hurdles 101: Insulin + Diabetes Supplies
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The insulin crisis in the United States + get involved
Get Involved with Access Advocacy
Everyone impacted by diabetes has a right to the best care possible. Learn how to lend your voice to the fight for access.MORE
How much does it cost to produce insulin?
A recent study sets prices for the future of biosimilars.MORE
How Insulin Pricing Works in the U.S.
The American healthcare system has created a complex web of players who exchange money for pharmaceutical products in ways that are not entirely clear.MORE
Focus on Access
How did insulin pricing get so out of control in the United States? And how do we move forward? MORE
All About State-Based Insulin Price Cap Laws
While we advocate for federal actions on insulin pricing, state based insulin price cap laws are leading the charge. MORE
Inside the Senate Report on Rising Insulin Prices
A January 2021 Senate Finance Committee report dug into the rapidly increasing cost of insulin. Here, we summarize and explain their findings.MORE
How Rebates—Most of the Cost of Your Insulin—Work
The rebate system creates up to 70% of the current list price of insulin in the US, and it doesn’t have to be this way. MORE
Drug Rebates, Insulin and Affording Life with Diabetes in the United States
The issues surrounding drug rebates in the U.S. highlight the need for reform, especially when it comes to insulin and living with diabetes.MORE
Insulin access news + stories
GoodRx Announces New Way for People to Access Lantus for $35
GoodRx partnered with Sanofi to offer $35 insulin coupons to all, regardless of their insurance status, for use at pharmacies nationwide. MORE
Tandem’s Mobi Approved by the FDA
Tandem’s newest insulin pump, Mobi, was approved by the FDA for people with diabetes age six and up. Here's what you need to know!MORE
Novo Nordisk to Slash Insulin Prices by over 65%
Novo Nordisk announced that starting January 1st, 2024 they will be lowering the list price of several of their insulins by 65-70%.MORE
$25 List Price + $35 Copay Caps: Lilly’s New Insulin Cost Reductions
On March 1, 2023, insulin manufacturer Lilly announced expanded insulin cost-saving measures for people with and without health insurance coverage.MORE
New Program Offers $35 Monthly Copays for Sanofi Insulins
Sanofi has announced a $35 per month insulin copay program for uninsured individuals in the U.S, effective July 1, 2022.MORE
How Civica Rx Aims to Change the U.S. Insulin Market
We sat down with Civica Rx board chair Dan Liljenquist to talk about how Civica Rx aims to create modern insulins for $30 or less per vial.MORE
Diabetes Community Survey Shows Drug Costs Still Ranks Highest Access Concern
A majority of respondents (56%) ranked access to affordable insulin and diabetes drugs as their most important access issue.MORE
Out of Pocket Cost for Your Insulin Just Change? It’s Your Insurance Formulary
Every July, PBMs update contracts between insulin manufacturers and insurance companies, which can change what you pay for insulin.MORE
Pay More Than $100 per Month for Insulin? Read This
If you’re in the United States, be sure to take advantage of every cost-reducing program available to pay less for the insulin you need.MORE
Amazon Launches Online Pharmacy
Amazon Pharmacy, launched on November 17, delivers medications and prescription refills - such as insulin - with Prime membership 2-day shipping.MORE
At What Cost? The Impact of Diabetes on Your Budget, Part 3
We’re digging into the impact that living with Type 1 diabetes has on your money. In Part 3, one month in DC on a $67,000 annual salary.MORE
Fourth Major Insulin Manufacturer Enters US Market with Semglee Launch
Semglee (insulin glargine), from Mylan and Biocon, is now available by prescription in the United States in vial and pre-filled pen presentations.MORE
At What Cost? The Impact of Diabetes on Your Budget, Part 2
In this series, we’re digging into the impact that living with diabetes has on your money. This time, one month in London, Ontario on a $17,537 salary.MORE
Insulin: Past, Present & Future
Insulin: it’s that thing that keeps people with type 1 diabetes alive. Here, we explore where insulin has been and where it's going next.MORE
Insulin Access: The Haves and Have-Nots
Reliable and consistent insulin access should not be a luxury reserved for the few. It should be the standard.MORE
The Impact of Insulin Rationing on Mental Health
Insulin rationing is an unfortunate reality for people with diabetes and the burden on mental health is something people with diabetes shouldn't have to bear. MORE
Medicare Part D Senior Savings Model Caps Insulin Costs at $35 per Month
The Senior Savings Model caps out of pocket insulin costs at $35 per month for seniors enrolled in eligible plans.MORE
At What Cost? The Impact of Diabetes on Your Budget, Part 1
In this new series, we’re digging into the impact that living with type 1 diabetes has on your money. First up, one month in Pembroke, New Hampshire on a $44,000 salary, with type 1 diabetes.MORE
The Power in Numbers: Change.org’s Affordable Insulin For All Movement
As insulin prices continue to increase in the United States, Change.org is equipping those affected with the tools to speak out.MORE
New Medicare Plan Will Cap Insulin Copays at $35
On March 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new plan for some Medicare Part D participants to pay a maximum $35 copay for their monthly supply of insulin. MORE
Half-Price Generics of NovoLog and NovoLog Mix Announced by Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk announced that authorized generic versions of NovoLog and NovoLog Mix will be made available on January 2, 2020.MORE
Colorado Becomes First State to Pass Bill Capping Insulin Costs
On Wednesday, May 22, Colorado became the first state in the U.S. to put a price cap on insulin.MORE
Insulin Manufacturers Called on to Explain Skyrocketing Prices
On Tuesday, a group of U.S. Senators led by Patty Murray (D-WA) sent letters to executives at Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi demanding information about the rising prices of insulin. MORE
Riya Nearly Died from DKA because her Family Couldn’t Afford Insulin
I could imagine what the family must be going through. The mother felt helpless—she had no idea what went wrong. She was trying to follow what was prescribed by the doctors, but they didn’t have m...MORE
No Matter the Cost — The Affordable Insulin Project
DPAC has launched their newest education campaign, The Affordable Insulin Project, which is aimed at helping those with type 1 reduce the cost of their insulin. DPAC co-founder and person with diabet...MORE
A Brief History of Insulin
It’s difficult to overstate the direness of diabetes pre-insulin. Though it’s been a known disease since the 16th century BCE, when Egyptian physicians noted that ants were attracted to the urine ...MORE
