The first act represented the Big Three insulin manufacturers, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi, as Pharma bears, and depicted how these corporations hinder insulin access through monopolistic control, price gouging, and patent manipulation.

Arden Parish, Connecticut #insulin4all Chapter Lead, illustrated the continued barriers to access, sharing their story: “In March of last year I was stunned to have walked away from the pharmacy empty-handed as my insulin was out of stock. I then made the choice to fill my pump with expired insulin thinking it would keep me safe, but ended up in the hospital fighting for my life. Once I realized it’s not just me who is affected by price gouging, shortages, and systemic failures to insulin access, I decided, as the Connecticut #insulin4all State Chapter Lead, to take on the fight for public pharma. We are proud to have introduced a bill that allows the state to produce insulin without relying on the Big Three insulin manufacturers in the hopes that no patient will ever have to make the same life threatening choice as me.”

The second act was a patient balancing act that demonstrated the financial and bureaucratic hoops—navigating insurance loopholes, coupon schemes, and patent abuses—people living with diabetes must jump through to simply access life-saving medication.

Nicole Smith-Holt, T1International Ambassador from Minnesota, shared a devastating story of losing her son to insulin rationing due to cost. She said, “I am the mother of the late Alec Smith. As Alec approached his 26 birthday, he applied to the Eli Lilly assistance program and was immediately met with a denial. He could not afford the $1300 insulin price tag. With no other option, he rationed his insulin and paid for it with his life. My ask is for Congress to pass meaningful legislation that caps insulin costs and ends the practice of rationing insulin.”

Finally, the third act exposed how Big Pharma lobbyists and industry-backed organizations block real policy change, prolonging the struggle to afford insulin as patients suffer. 

Janelle Lutgen, member of Families United for Affordable Insulin (FUFAI), shared a story of her late son who passed away from rationing insulin. “On February 7th, 2018, I got the call that Jesse was gone. He had never contacted me that he was in trouble. He lost his job in November 2017 and with that, his healthcare. I remember screaming in the car ‘not my son!’”

Despite being discovered over a century ago, insulin remains unaffordable for many due to pharmaceutical greed, patent loopholes, and weak regulations. While recent reforms have capped insulin at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries, millions of people living in the U.S. still struggle with outrageous prices.

The “Circus of Pharma Greed” culminated with the delivery of over 8,000 petition signatures to Members of Congress. This petition demanded comprehensive insulin pricing reform that extends beyond Medicare, calling for stronger regulations on patient abuses that block affordable alternatives, and greater investment in publicly manufactured insulin to break Big Pharma’s stranglehold on pricing.

Shaina Kasper, Executive Director of T1International, emphasized the global urgency of insulin access and affordability while calling on Congress to take action. "Around the world, there is a shared recognition of the critical need for universal insulin access. As a community, our collective voice can drive Big Pharma to prioritize patients' lives over profits, creating lasting change both in the United States and beyond."

Advocates exposing the “Circus of Pharma Greed” shared their personal stories and insights at the event, contributing to the ongoing dialogue on the challenges faced by individuals with diabetes. People also joined online to support the action through a livestream. Dozens of activists held signs and banners chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, high drug prices got to go!”

For more information or to speak with volunteer patient advocates please contact press@t1international.com.

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T1International is a global diabetes advocacy organization run by people with type 1 diabetes for people with type 1 diabetes. We accept no funding from pharmaceutical companies and provide advocacy training and support to grassroots activists worldwide. Since launching the #insulin4all campaign in 2014, we have led the fight for insulin affordability and access on a global scale.