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Today is #WorldDiabetesDay. Can’t think of a better opportunity to talk about the deadly high costs of insulin and the #Insulin4all movement. A thread. /1
Insulin was invented 100 years ago. It’s used to treat type 2 diabetes and essential for type 1 - ppl can die if they don’t get insulin bc their body doesn’t make it. Inventors wanted it to be accessible. So, they sold the patent for $1. /2 https://www.healio.com/hematology-oncology/news/print/hemonc-today/%7Bb3848683-e962-43ac-b23b-5b2c10f711a8%7D/frederick-banting-discovered-insulin-in-1921
Eventually, insulin ended up being produced by 3 manufacturers, and different forms of the drug came@to market. Here’s what’s happened to the prices over the last few decades. /3
Prices are so high that we know at least 1 in 4 diabetes patients ration their insulin because they can’t afford it. Imagine needing a drug to stay alive and hoping that taking less than your doctor tells you to will do the trick. It’s wrong. /4 https://www.google.com/amp/s/khn.org/news/insulins-high-cost-leads-to-deadly-rationing/amp/
By the way, there are over 23 million Americans with diabetes. Insulin price increases have killed patients who can’t afford their medicine. /5 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/insulin-prices-2019-diabetes-rationing-insulin-amid-rising-drug-prices-sanofi/
Today, @P4AD_ put out this great report with data and stories. Warning* It will make you angry. Read it then share it widely. https://www.patientsforaffordabledrugs.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/The-Insulin-Report-Final-V.-1-1.pdf /6
It’s infuriating. But! Diabetes patients across the country are courageously sharing their experiences and pushing for action. It’s incredibly inspiring. My friend and súper activist, @Kidfears99 is always sharing news and stories. You should follow her and #Insulin4all. /7
We did some good work in Nevada to force transparency on insulin prices. I’m proud to have led that effort. Our data showed us a lot, but in short: manufacturers make a lot of money off insulin. @meganmesserly reported about it in the @TheNVIndy. /8 https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/second-annual-report-reveals-costs-profits-associated-with-manufacture-sale-of-diabetes-drugs
And, now @RepHorsford is fearlessly leading the charge to lower insulin and other drug prices in Congress. /9
I’ll end here. We’ve made some progress, and it’s worth acknowledging. But, on #WorldDiabetesDay, we should all commit to joining the fight to lower insulin prices. No one should be priced out of staying alive.
