WV SECOND IN NATION WITH DIABETES - Un-affordable Insulin Costs Threatening Lives

(08/02/2019)

By Bob Weaver The Centers for Disease Control says that more than 100 million Americans are now living with diabetes. Not only are that many Americans living with diabetes or prediabetes, but West Virginia has the second highest rate of diabetes in adults in the nation. According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, roughly 15% of West Virginians have diabetes. In some years, West Virginia has led the nation with diabetes. Struggling to stay alive, many diabetics are losing with rising insulin prices, many taking desperate measures. Lack of affordable insulin could affect 40 million people with diabetes. Fifteen years ago, a patient with diabetes might have paid $175.57 for a 20-milliliter vial of the long-acting insulin Humulin R U-500. Today, they would shell out $1,487 for the same tiny vial. For those without robust insurance coverage, including Medicare, there is a critical problem. Meanwhile, American pharmaceutical companies spend millions on lobbying, and are under assault for skyrocketing costs of lifesaving drugs (example Epipen) and for concealing the multi-million opioid pill numbers sent to single pharmacies in West Virginia. Follow the money.

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