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Insulin prices doubled between 2012 and 2016
The historical excuse for pharma monopolists who conspired to rig prices on insulin was that hardly anyone paid full price -- everyone got their life-saving, non-optional medicine through health plans that negotiated a knock-down price.
That was the line between 2012 and 2016, as median per-patient insulin costs rose 99%, to $5,705/year.
But now prices are even higher -- and more and more people are paying full cost, as the monopolized health insurance sector has reduced benefits to insured people. The average insured person with diabetes is paying 60% more than they were in 2012 (and the rest of the increase is being borne by Medicare and employers).
People with diabetes are increasingly rationing their insulin, a practice that can be lethal.
Today, there are three insulin manufacturers: Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi. The manufacturers make the drug, set the price and negotiate with pharmacy benefit managers, the companies hired by health insurers to manage prescription-drug benefits for beneficiaries.
It comes down to pure greed, Patterson said. They are lining their pockets. They are making a profit.
When questioned about their costs, the insulin manufacturers told The Dispatch that the majority of patients dont pay the list price for the drug.
'It comes down to pure greed': Insulin prices double, causing many people with diabetes to turn to extremes [Megan Henry/The Columbus Dispatch]
(via Naked Capitalism)
(Image: Melissa Johnson, CC BY, modified) Read the rest
Original Link: http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/E-nqdcjuANw/shkrelism.html