Sanofi and Novo Nordisk are celebrating the New Year with fresh price hikes on their decades-old insulin products. “Sanofi increased the price of its three main insulin brands by between 4.4 %- 5.2 % last week, while Novo Nordisk increased the price of its insulin products by just under 5% on Tuesday,” the Financial Times article said. Once again, shareholder profits will be increased on the backs of people with diabetes.

Not one day goes by without T1International hearing from patients struggling to survive what should now officially be called the American insulin price crisis. Insulin rationing is already widespread and we are certain these actions by Sanofi and Novo Nordisk will worsen an already untenable situation. Americans are becoming literal refugees; unable to survive living in the country of their birth with a condition they acquired with through no fault of their own.

There are over 1 million people in America who have type 1 diabetes, all of whom need insulin to survive, in addition to insulin-dependent people with type 2 diabetes. They are co-workers, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers. They are children. They all have stories, and insulin price gouging is shortening their lives.

Americans with type 1 diabetes need legal protection from price gouging, not platitudes from Donald Trump or Alex Azar, his Secretary of Health and Human Services and former Eli Lilly executive. Americans need affordable #insulin4all, not a circular passing of the blame between insurance, PBMs, and pharma while political representatives take big bucks from all three to turn a blind eye as Americans die from lack of centuries old therapy.

Take note: there is a growing movement of people following every move being made by the ‘big three’ and by politicians in response to the American insulin price crisis. This movement remains ready and able to support those willing to take action, like Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s investigation into the insulin cartel or the Kentucky State Legislature’s push for emergency access to insulin. Both actions, and many more, are being taken thanks to patients speaking out and fighting for change.

To all politicians and companies who think ‘business as usual’ still applies, our message is simple: time is up. Every day the #insulin4all Chapters are growing across the United States. People are organizing – in the media, in town halls, in legislatures and at company offices – and their voices will be heard.