The life-saving miracle of insulin is becoming a financial death sentence
In short: A century after its discovery, insulin remains a cornerstone of modern medicine. Yet, for millions of people living with type 1 diabetes, the astronomical cost of this essential drug has transformed a medical triumph into a desperate struggle for survival.
During August 1921, Frederick G. Alongside Charles H. Best reached a clinical breakthrough when canine pancreatic extracts effectively reduced blood sugar in a dog. This breakthrough led to the first human clinical use in January 1922, when 14-year-old Leonard Thompson responded to purified injections. To guarantee worldwide availability, the scientists transferred their patent to the University of Toronto for only $1 in 1923. This pivotal work was conducted within the laboratory of John J. R. Macleod. The purification process that enabled these early successes was further refined by James B. Collip.
The century following this discovery has seen incredible pharmaceutical evolution. Innovations moved from animal-based extracts to human insulin via genetic engineering in the 1980s, followed by the development of rapid-acting analogs in the 1990s and inhaled versions in the 2000s. More recently, the 2010s introduced ultra-rapid and ultra-long acting analogs, alongside biosimilar options.
Despite these scientific leaps, the economic reality for patients is grim. In the United States, the average price of insulin has nearly tripled over the last decade. This surge has created a massive barrier to care, leaving as many as one-third of people with diabetes unable to afford the treatment they need to stay alive. As advocate Brooke Bennett highlights, the current pricing structure is not just an economic issue, but a deadly one for those with chronic illness. Addressing this crisis requires exploring new policy interventions and clinical strategies. Experts are currently investigating value-based pricing and the implementation of biosimilar medications to improve global access and affordability.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why the Price of Insulin is a Danger to Diabetics | Brooke Bennett | TED
- Also: 100 years of insulin: Why is insulin so expensive and what can be done to control its cost?
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