The global pandemic has been affecting patients of all diseases. It has posed an outsized threat for patients who suffer from diseases that require constant medication, such as diabetes. One insulin maker has decided to forfeit profit to provide medication for diabetes patients.
Novo Nordisk has announced that it will provide 3 months worth of insulin for free to patients who have lost insurance coverage after losing their jobs. Founded in 1923, the Danish company is a global pharmaceutical firm that has specialized in treating chronic diseases such as diabetes.
Doug Langa, the president of Novo Nordisk, said that patients should not have to worry about their insulin intake in times likes these. In an official statement, Langa said that patients already had enough things to worry about, and he was determined to take insulin off of an already long list of concerns.
Eligible patients can apply via the company’s patient assistance program. They are to submit a document of proof that they have lost medical insurance to be eligible. Patients who do not have the documents ready could make use of the emergency supply option available, then produce the documents afterwards.
Novo Nordisk has announced plans to expand the beneficiaries of this program. They said patients who fail to receive Medicaid benefits will be eligible to receive free insulin until the end of 2020.
Other pharmaceutical companies have also initiated programs to help the patients. For instance, Eli Lily announced that they will provide medication at a much cheaper price than usual for those without health insurance.
While the companies’ decisions have been lauded for being sensitive, some are more cynical about the sudden change of tone from large insulin makers. This is because insulin is one of the most overpriced medications in the market right now.
The industry average production cost for insulin is around $3, yet consumer prices can go up to triple digits. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies have been criticized for drastically increasing prices in the last decade without any legitimate cause that justifies the hike.
Nonetheless, this act of charity will definitely benefit many patients around the US. Diabetes is prevalent among Americans with almost 10% of the population formally diagnosed with it. Another 80 million may require insulin as their health deteriorates.
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Replaced!