Bioethics: On costs of insulin: May 31, 2021

The increase in cost of insulin over the last few years has been phenomenal and, to my mind, unconscionable.

As I read this new law, it caps the copay for insulin for insured patients at $25/30 days. It is common for insulin dependent patients to use more than one type of insulin so that probably means $25/ script / month. Insurance companies are required to have at least one type of insulin from each group so that should lessen the problem of a patient needing a type not covered by their insurance. This does not help patients who are uninsured and doesn't deal with the unreasonable increase in list prices overall. This article discussed the new law. https://www.ksla.com/2021/05/26/texans-could-soon-pay-less-out-of-pocket-for-insulin/

This discusses costs of insulin.

“While this product has been unchanged, its price increased by 353% over a 15-year period between 2001 and 2016 and it continues to rise 12. Humulin U500 has increased from $170 to more than $1400 since 198713. From 2001 to 2019, the price of Humalog increased 1200% for a vial of insulin”

https://www.endocrine.org/advocacy/position-statements/increasing-insulin-affordability