Sticker shock: The price of insulin is skyrocketing.

[TexasTowelie]

At the beginning of 2013 the price of Lantus insulin was about $135 for a vial and about $180 for Solostar pens. I went into an indigent program so I had not monitored the price increases for about 18 months. When I recently checked on filling my insulin prescriptions the prices had gone up to about $250 for a vial and about $360 for Solostar pens.

I've also encountered similar price increases for the fast-acting insulin Novolog where the prices have nearly doubled within the past 18 months. Is anybody else encountering this phenomenon?

What really concerned me though is that I spoke to another diabetic when I went to sign up for the indigent program where I now live. She indicated that she normally takes a 40 unit injection of Lantus each night and that the indigent program is trying to cut back on the amount of insulin that they are willing to provide to her and that they would only authorize payment for insulin that would provide only 30 unit injections. Although the woman would benefit by losing some weight, she certainly would not be considered to be morbidly obese.

While I know that using insulin makes people hungrier, it seems inappropriate that an indigent program would be second-guessing the prescription requirements set by a medical doctor. I feel fortunate because my weight is about 30-35 pounds less than what it should be for someone of my height, but this is the first time that I've heard of an indigent program intervening in the medical care of an individual in this manner. Does anyone else have some experience with this issue?

Here is one article that I found: http://insulinnation.com/treatment2/medicine-drugs/understanding-insulin-sticker-shock/

[In_The_Wind]

1. I'm still adjusting my dosage upward.

My copay doesn't seem high.

[IDemo]

2. This is horrifying, and apparently completely fine with the FDA

I'm on Lantus and Humalog, which both have gone through the roof. I lost my employment and benefits in March, and the out of pocket is absurd. Even the pharmacists are shaking their heads at the increases. I tried going back to my old reliable Regular at about 1/10th the cost per vial and soon remembered that Humalog works so much better, it's not worth the savings to risk the blood sugar spikes and lows.

It's scary that such a situation could exist in the United States, where many are struggling to put food on the table or pay the rent.

This is not about medication for itchy, watery eyes, guys. This is life and death stuff for many, many people, but it appears Gordon Gecko is running the pharmaceutical industry as everywhere else. Sickening.

[jambo101]

3. Looking at a recent reciept

Up here in Montreal For 3 boxes of Levimir with 5 vials of insulin per box i was charged $249.99
For 3 boxes of Novo-rapid with 5 vials of insulin per box i was charged $192.99
Fortunately my insurance covers the total cost which is a good thing because i couldnt afford to be diabetic if i had to pay the entire cost
The actual dispensing pens (Novo-Nordisk)are free from the pharmacy and only need to be changed every few years or if they break.