Average list price per unit of short-acting insulin

Source: American Action Forum providing what students need,” said Erika Quintana, a health aide at Carlmont. “We keep emergency supplies well stocked, and we provide snacks for students with diabetes who need to control their blood sugar.”

Most Carlmont students do not struggle with insulin prices due to having insurance coverage, according to Quintana. However, it can be crucial to recognize that various factors can make their situations less fortunate.

Out-of-pocket insulin expenses vary from household to household based on insurance and whether the person suffers from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. According to the Health Care Cost Institute, half of users with insurance spend over $35 outof-pocket for a monthly supply of insulin, and about 5% spend more than $200.

Fortunately for those with diabetes, the end may be near regarding these outrageous prices. Efforts to drop insulin costs are becoming more and more prevalent and effective.

An example is Civica Rx, a nonprofit generic drug company founded in 2018. The organization plans to create three biosimilar insulin products, each not exceeding $30 per vial. One such product is expected to hit the market in 2024.

With the help of a $50-million contract with the state of California, as announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 18, Civica has sufficient funding to continue growing their nonprofit.

Another example of an effort to reduce insulin costs is Eli Lilly and Co., which has reduced the price of its insulin by 70%. The healthcare company’s Insulin Value Program caps patients’ out-of-pocket costs at $35 or less per month.

The problem of high insulin rates is seemingly entering a close, and families like Hendrix’s can begin to worry less about the affordability of a lifesaving drug.

“I am quite relieved by these developments,” Hendrix said. “I look forward to a future where I no longer have to worry about the affordability of insulin and other things I need.”

Undeniably, soaring insulin prices in the U.S. have become a pressing problem in recent years. Still, there have also been many efforts to help families struggling to cover insulin intake with insurance.

For families like Hendrix’s and those of Carlmont, pricing issues with Type 1 diabetes conditions are minimal. Someday soon, perhaps insulin costs will also cease to be a source of concern in households nationwide.