Anything short of these 3 things mean that there will still be Kentuckians who suffer and possibly die. Money from the “big 3” insulin makers is influencing established advocacy groups across the United States, including some of the testimony heard at the August 21st ommittee meeting. When ideas are proposed that specifically remove blame and accountability from Pharma, it may be a key indicator of who is funding that group. Read more
I got 20 vials of Humalog insulin for $17.40. If you live in the USA, you may be able to, too. Through the little known and vastly underused 340B program, drug makers provide discounted medicine to anyone willing to cut through some red tape. Read more
In September 2019, T1International held our first ever two-day #insulin4all workshop for USA Chapters. The purpose of the workshop was to bring Chapter Leaders together and build their skills and advocating power to push for more affordable, accessible insulin and supplies. About 45 people from about 20 Chapters across the USA came to Indianapolis for the workshop, which included a third annual event outside of Eli Lilly taking the form of a vigil to honor lives lost due to rationing. Read more
It is essential that we change all this. There has to be some way to get insulin, and the best insulin that works for people, at an affordable price for those who need it. Insulin is a life and death situation, not something where if you do not take it you will not be as healthy. My son couldn’t afford his insulin, and he never should have been in that position, but now he’s gone. Read more
As a diabetes community, we knew we had to do something. I reached out to T1International and we had a discussion, with ideas and feedback about how to advocate for the insulin needs of people with type 1 diabetes in Indonesia. I took part in a one-on-one Advocacy Training with T1International where I created a plan to resolve the limitation problem. Read more
Brenda Davis is aware that other young people died in June because they couldn’t get their insulin. “Their deaths are inexcusable,” she said. “Anybody on a lifesaving drug — it should have been approved that day.” She told Kayla’s story because she hopes it can drive change. “This cannot help those other young adults,” said said, “But it might help another diabetic.”
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Andy was quiet but he was always willing to help people. He would give you the shirt of your back if you needed it. I wish that America’s healthcare system was more like Andy, treating everyone with kindness instead of forcing people to go to Canada or go on the black market to get what they need. Read more
Canadians, too, are struggling with the rising cost of insulin therapy, as James Elliott has noted. This situation has come about in part because governments have given 100% control of the supply of insulin to global manufacturers, three of which now control 95% of the world market. Read more
The only reason Jesy did not have his insulin – a life dependent drug – was because he couldn’t afford it. He wasn’t lazy. He worked hard, even taking on a second job for some time. Unlike some of the other stories I have heard, Jesy had insurance but the insulin and other supplies were still more than he could afford. The month Jesy died there were four known deaths due to insulin rationing. How many unknown deaths were there? How many deaths will we continue to see before changes are made? Read more
People in the United States of America are dying from type 1 diabetes. For many people, the cost for life saving medications each month is the same as an average months’ rent - or more. How is an average American to afford this? When it comes to type 1 diabetes, people are facing unthinkable decisions – between the costs of living and their very lives – because they live with a non-preventable disease. Read more