American Diabetes Association® Issues Resolution and Launches Petition Calling for Access to Affordable Insulin

Immediate action needed to reverse skyrocketing costs of lifesaving medication for millions of Americans


ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the cost of insulin climbs, millions of Americans with diabetes are paying a steep price to stay alive. The American Diabetes Association® (Association) today announces a resolution and the launch of a petition calling on all entities in the insulin supply chain to increase transparency and to ensure that no person with diabetes is denied affordable access to insulin. The Association is also calling on Congress to hold hearings with all entities in the insulin supply chain to identify the reasons for the dramatic increases in insulin prices and to take action to ensure affordable access to insulin for all who need it. 
 
Confirmed by a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the cost of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013.1  The high cost of insulin is also impacting people with diabetes—some are forced to ration their insulin. Rationing of insulin is a life-threatening practice and increases the risk of the horrific complications of diabetes including blindness, amputation, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke. Others are doing without basic necessities in order to afford insulin.


"No one in need of lifesaving insulin should ever go without it due to prohibitive costs," said Desmond Schatz, MD, president, medicine & science at the American Diabetes Association. "We call on Congress and all those involved in the insulin supply chain to solve this crisis and to protect the millions of Americans who need insulin to stay alive. We also invite all Americans to join us in taking action by signing our petition."

The Association has been a consistent champion for affordable access to health care, and its resolution on Insulin Affordability, unanimously passed by the Association's Board of Directors, solidifies the organization's continuing efforts to ensure insulin is affordable and accessible for all people who need it. There are many entities involved in the production and delivery of insulin to patients, including manufacturers, wholesalers, insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and pharmacies – and the pricing negotiations that occur between them are often confidential. The Association's resolution calls for greater transparency on the part of all parties, and on Congress to hold hearings so that there can be a better understanding of all of the factors affecting insulin costs. This is the first step to identifying workable solutions. Members of the public can join the Association's efforts by signing the organization's petition at StopDiabetes.com/insulin.

The Association's efforts on insulin affordability are rising to the forefront during American Diabetes Month®. This year, the Association is encouraging people to share their stories about diabetes with a new This Is Diabetes™ campaign, which asks people to share their personal stories of living with diabetes – using the hashtag #ThisIsDiabetes – to help educate others, break down stereotypes, correct myths and misunderstandings, and to create a sense of urgency about finding long-term solutions.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-diabetes-association-issues-resolution-and-launches-petition-calling-for-access-to-affordable-insulin-300365373.html

Way way beyond disgusting. And for once I agree with something the ADA did.

I remember back in the day when the manufacturers removed some of their older cheaper insulins from the market to force people onto the then-new Lantus. The crappy old uncontrollable NPH was still available. Animal insulins were actually BANNED from the US but it was possible to import them for yourself only by filling in a load of Government paperwork. This was widely seen as an attempt to increase profits at the expense of health.

Older off-patent drugs generally drop in price especially when generics become available. The fact that insulin is doing the exact opposite just shows what a cash cow diabetes has become.