Insulin-makers admit cost is too high, but no relief in sight
It was 2019. Remember those days before the pandemic? That’s when the three companies that control production of 99 percent of the world’s insulin admitted to Congress that the cost of their product was “unacceptably high.”
Fast forward to August 2021. Democratic leaders of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a strongly worded letter to manufacturers Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi asking what they’ve done to reduce the cost of diabetes treatment.
“The Committee is troubled that despite your company’s expressions of shared concern, insulin prices in the United States remain unacceptably high,” Chairman Frank Pallone Jr., D-J.J. and oversight subcommittee Chairwoman Diana DeGette, D-Colo. wrote in a letter reported by The Hill.
The two Democrats also pointed out that Big Pharma can’t exactly blame expensive research and development for high costs. In fact, they note, insulin has not changed much since its production almost 100 years ago.
Pallone and DeGette gave the three companies until Sept. 17 to respond to their letter. The 34 million Americans who are treated for diabetes probably shouldn’t expect immediate relief.
In a statement to The Hill, Eli Lilly noted it hadn’t raised prices for its insulin product since May 2017. Novo Nordisk said in a statement that it looks “forward to ongoing dialogue with the Committee on policy solutions that support patients.” Sanofi had not responded to The Hill’s request for comment.
The American Diabetes Association has reported the average price of insulin tripled between 2002 and 2013 and almost doubled between 2012 and 2016. And despite claims that drug-makers are holding the line on pricing, the House committee leaders noted that Sanofi’s 2021 pricing report shows the cost of one of its insulin products has jumped 82 percent since 2012.
Do you or a member of your family rely on insulin to control your diabetes? Have your costs gone up? Share your story with Voices for Affordable Health.