The Endocrine Society today praised Eli Lilly and Company’s announcement that it will offer discounted prices on insulin products purchased through certain online platforms as a step toward addressing increasing insulin prices.
The Society is concerned rising insulin prices have created a barrier that makes it challenging for people with diabetes who are insulin-dependent to obtain treatments they need. The Society continues to call on entities throughout the insulin supply chain—including manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers and insurers—to take action to ensure this life-saving therapy remains accessible to patients who need it. Last week, Novo Nordisk announced it would limit price increases for therapies including insulin.
Lilly’s discounts, offered through a partnership with Express Scripts, will benefit people with diabetes who have no insurance and those who are covered by a high-deductible insurance plan and have not yet met the deductible. Lilly said people who currently buy insulin products at full price may save 40 percent by purchasing the products through Blink Health’s web and mobile platforms beginning in 2017.
The body produces the hormone insulin to help the cells in the muscles, liver and fat absorb sugar from the bloodstream. More than 29 million people nationwide have diabetes, and these individuals either cannot produce their own insulin or do not produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs. For the many people who have diabetes and require insulin treatment, rising prices can create a barrier to accessing this crucial therapy.
As the oldest and largest global professional membership organization representing endocrinologists who advance hormone research and excel in caring for patients with hormone-related diseases and conditions, the Society strongly advocates for people with diabetes to have affordable access to insulin.
The Society wants to work with stakeholders throughout the insulin supply chain to achieve greater transparency, determine the cause of increasing prices, and identify additional ways to ensure affordable access to insulin. With greater transparency across the supply chain, the Society believes stakeholders can work together to help patients and providers maintain access to affordable, patient-centered therapies.
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