- A report released by Senator Elizabeth Warren found that even after Lilly promised to lower the list price of the product to $25 per vial, uninsured Americans are still paying for Lilly’s generic insulin. We pay an average of nearly $98 for a vial.
- Eli Lilly announced earlier this year that it was lowering the list price of its generic insulin, Lispro, from $82.42 per vial starting May 1.
- A Massachusetts senator’s report surveyed more than 300 U.S. pharmacies from June 9 to 28 to determine whether Lilly’s announced price cuts “lead to real relief for patients.” .
- Warren said the report shows that Congress needs to take additional steps to bring down the exorbitant prices of Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk insulin.
March 5, 2021 photo of Eli Lilly & Co.’s pharmaceutical manufacturing plant at 50 ImClone Drive in Branchburg, NJ.
Mike Seeger | Reuters
Uninsured Americans are paying an average of nearly $98 for a vial of Lilly’s generic insulin, even after Lilly promised to lower the list price of its products. $25 per vialaccording to, report Senator Elizabeth Warren made the announcement on Thursday.
Eli Lilly announced earlier this year that it would be lowering the list price of its generic insulin. LisproThe Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical company is one of the world’s largest producers of insulin.
A Massachusetts senator’s report said more than 300 chain pharmacies in the U.S. will be tested from June 9-28 to determine whether Lilly’s announced price cuts “lead to real relief for patients.” We surveyed independent pharmacies.
A survey found that a third of pharmacies charge uninsured patients $164 or more per bottle of Lilly Lispro.
Seven pharmacies charged $200 or more per vial, and two pharmacies sold the product for $300 or more.
Chain pharmacies charged uninsured customers an average of $123 per vial of generic insulin, compared with an average of $63 for independent pharmacies.
Eli Lilly did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the investigation.
The findings “suggest that Lilly’s promise of affordable and accessible insulin is not being delivered to uninsured patients nationwide,” Warren said in a statement.
He said the data also suggests that Congress should take further steps to curb excessive pricing, such as limiting insulin copays to $35 a month for all patients, regardless of insurance status. said to show.
President Joe Biden’s Inflation Control Act currently limits insulin out-of-pocket payments for Medicare recipients to $35 a month.
“My new report confirms that too many uninsured Americans cannot access or afford the astronomical prices for life-saving generic insulin. need to wake up,” Warren said in a press release.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing at the Capitol in Washington, DC, June 13, 2023. The commission held a hearing to consider the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Semi-Annual Report to Congress.
Michael A. McCoy | Getty Images
Insured Americans typically pay a fraction of the list price of insulin. But uninsured people often have to pay the full price, which can force them to be rationed or stop life-saving diabetes treatment.
Nearly 30% of uninsured diabetics report skipping insulin, taking less than prescribed or delaying purchases in the past year, Warren said. Stated. 2022 survey by researchers at Harvard University and other institutions.
“No American should be forced to choose between using a life-saving drug like insulin or the ability to pay for food, housing and the basic necessities of life,” Warren said. rice field.
Earlier this year, Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk pledged to reduce the list price of the most common prescription insulin by at least 70% by the second half of 2023.
Eli Lilly and Sanofi have also capped monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs for people with private insurance at $35.
Together, the three companies control 90% of the global insulin market.
The companies’ efforts drew applause from lawmakers, and Mr. Biden was pleased that the companies had finally answered calls to make diabetes care more affordable in the United States.
But Warren’s research raises questions about how effective cost-cutting efforts are.
Approximately 37 million people in the United States, or 11.3% of the nation’s population, have diabetes, according to the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 8.4 million people with diabetes are insulin dependent. American Diabetes Association Said.
