High Insulin Prices Drive Diabetics to Take Extreme Measures

[@kooma7190]

Not insulin but this is how crazy this is. For my nasal sprays for allergies, I pay about $10 a bottle in Korea. The same spray costs me $120 in the US. SAME DRUG.

[@Grumbo991]

Thats just so sad.

[@cybermatrix13]

Same drug. $7 in India. Still too expensive for most people here.

[@LurkerPatrol5]

Same for my family in India. My dad takes a whole pharmacy of medication for his many conditions. Customs in the US and India stalled when sending his medication over to them. He managed to find a bunch there for 400% cheaper if not more.

[@santiagopaz6507]

4 bucks in Argentina.

[@bugged1212]

You get to live in USA, feel free to live in Korea or India for cheaper stuff. There will be many rich Koreans or Indians who will gladly pay to live in USA and pay the 120 bucks.

[@creyes4182]

I have glaucoma and I could go blind if I don't take my drops. It was $125 a bottle(which was insanely overpriced) when I first started taking them, then they went up to like $350 for no reason. I went on vacation to see family overseas and was shocked I could buy the same meds for $34 over there. All I had to do was ask for my meds and they sold them to me. If I'm traveling in the US I can't even buy them because its not over the counter. Its BS, its not like its a narcotic or anything. They whole system here is f*cked. I could buy a round ticket and go there over the weekend to stock up for a year with the price of two bottles. Thats just crazy.

[@abbaby555]

Grow your own weed and smoke it, it helps a lot for that condition

[@dudeman7738]

Its cheap over there because we are paying for it over here.

[@christianmaurer96]

@@dudeman7738 No

[@rpscorp9457]

@@dudeman7738 what???

[@Jj-lv2wi]

It's (partially) cheaper in Europe because the patient only needs to pay a small part of the total cost for the medecine. There are cases where a Farmacist must order a 500 EUR medicine to a company for a patient while the patient only needs to pay 25 EUR to the farmacist. First a patient needs to go to a doctor. The doctor gives an official proscription to the patient. Only with that proscription can the patient recieve his medication, because the farmacist needs the proscription to proof to the state that he sold the medication. Than the state repays the 500 EUR to the farmacist.

[@literate-aside]

I feel so sorry for these people. People knock the NHS, but I think we’re so lucky.

[@barbarahenninger6642]

You are lucky and you should be proud of your health care system. In the U.S. people's health is not valued.

[@literate-aside]

barbara henninger ... Thanks man. You’re right, I feel very proud. In America I would be dead, I think it’s so wrong how people are treated if they can’t afford exorbitant health insurance in America. I don’t understand why Obama Care got so much hate.

[@squarerootof2]

The NHS in the UK USED to be good. Now is a complete shambles. GPs are "encouraged" to over-prescribe many drugs and there's no proper following. Many people, especially old age pensioners end up taking sometimes a dozen different drugs for life and the likelihood of dying in hospital while in surgery is high. Our taxes are being diverted to pay for unemployable migrants instead of caring for our people. No doubt the US needs proper regulations and a big change in health care, but a system like we have in most European countries would be very difficult to implement in the US with a population of 300 million.

[@squarerootof2]

With $50000 combined salary a year I don't know how they can afford such a large house and those two cars in the driveway. 3:42. The Nissan Juke alone already costs more than half their annual salary. I'm sure the $6000 health insurance is the least of their problems, but who knows. Maybe that's the price you pay for having lower taxes than Europeans. Tax funded health service costs a lot, and those taxes come from working people to pay for people who don't contribute. Welfare state and uncontrolled migration only leads to the gradual destruction of said welfare state. That's what's happening in the UK right now. Poorer service and long waiting lists. That said, the health care system in the US and the insurance and pharma industries are a racket and a scam, it should be more regulated maybe.

[@tamaraturner4165]

@@squarerootof2 the video says they moved in with her parents.

[@martinschmidt1652]

I live in Europe, need insulin and get it for free... well i guess we have a smaller military and no walls

[@loveflying4488]

Well you don’t have a strong military because of the us presence in Europe. Otherwise you would be armed up because Russia is right next door. Look at Ukraine.

[@CASTSTONE]

It's nothing to do with military expenses. Americans spend more per capita on healthcare than Europeans. The money goes to insurance companies.

[@winw4548]

@@CASTSTONE In US there are no government or state hospitals? For a country with such big budget operating hospitals with good quality of service would be feasible.

[@markgerhard1362]

@@loveflying4488 I doubt that he is as susceptible to US propaganda as you are.

[@loveflying4488]

@@markgerhard1362 not sure about OP but you are definitely susceptible to stupidity and mediocrity.

[@robbiebonechannel]

I live in Wales in the UK where I’ve never paid for any medication. Even cheap asthma prescriptions is free. Everything prescribed from a doctor is free. So I can’t comprehend this at all. US is a 3rd world country in comparison!

[@mot3193]

Robbie Bone I live in the uk too, it’s not free at all, UNLESS your under 18, under 21 but in full time education, over 65 or get benefits. I’ve been on repeat medication (10 items a month) for 5 years. Even with paying for national insurance every item is £8.60 each. What that means is say you get 200 Codeine tablets a month, instead of paying per box you pay for the item itself, you can even apply for a pre payment certificate which in my case is £10 per month and can get as many prescriptions as I want per month for one fee of £10

[@markgerhard1362]

>>Everything prescribed from a doctor is free. It seems free. What is actually happening is that somebody else is paying for it.

[@mcgeebag1]

Mark Gerhard: I lived and worked in the UK, doctor visits are free, prescribed medicine is free and the taxes aren't high. The US really needs to address this problem.

[@shalala4571]

Oksana cooper still way cheaper. I’d rather pay some extra taxes, and in most cases even get paid if i break my leg. Instead of having to pay up a few hundred grand. Read about some widow who lost her husband to cancer, few weeks later she gets a bill for 198 grand, yeah great system.

[@shestewa6581]

In Scotland, NOBODY pays for prescriptions up front on the NHS, at all. Any age, any health, one time or repeat. Not a penny. There is no £8.60 or anything charge. At the top of the prescription, you know the bit with the 4 boxes for "cost"? The pharmacy fill it in for you without needing to check anything - £00.00. People can talk about it coming out of taxes and stuff all they want, but healthcare is crucial to a forward-thinking world, and to have it free at point of use for all, no matter the condition and cost of treatment is the only rational and fair way to have a society.

[@LeonardoDeVinci1452]

We must change our drug system. I have to eat calcium binders and there is only one company that sells the particular binder which cost $1000. when I looked at the ingredients it only cost them .25 cents to make. That is $33.00 a pill Your saying that purchasers are taking that. NO That is pure profit to the company.

[@Stonegoal]

Many times it has several other drugs can that do the job be doctors get informed by drug reps plus some customers demand a drug(they are demanding a product, they are a customer).

[@tomfoolery8100]

its insane how drug companies can't sell directly to consumers. even is the drug company prices fairly, middlemen who get the drug to you can do whatever they want!

[@kutie216]

Leonardo De Vinci Some new drugs have outrageous prices because of the 10 year patent. Companies only have 10 years (not including all the RCT studies and extensive research they have to do/pay for), so to break even or make any profit they have to charge high prices.

[@winw4548]

@@kutie216 20years from registration if im not wrong.But true of 20 susceptible drugs only 1 might make it to the market so they have to make up for that lost. Developing new drug is not feasible for small company without government support.

[@markgerhard1362]

>>I have to eat calcium binders Why would you need a calcium binder?

[@jjrollins313]

I am in the same exact boat as Karyn. I live in Georgia, was diagnosed at 10 years old, and I'm struggling with getting my insulin still. I'm 19 and it's always been a problem for me. I've had to get insulin from, had to ration it, or even just end up not taking any at all and couldn't eat. I also have a problem with with getting test strips usually and I sometimes just get the $20 insulin at Walmart. Insurance is so bad. They do not care nor does Big Pharma. I understand there's other medical supply issues but problems are specifically on diabetic supplies. I have even considered moving to a country like France for example which is a great country in other ways that can effect my life positively just so I can have a thousand times better healthcare. Several diabetics have moved to other countries just to get better health care. The United States is not a country but a capitalist business system.

[@samuelseidel6148]

Try importing from Canada

[@MiyuTheFallenAngel]

I’m thinking of moving to Canada. Me and my husband have seriously thought of it. We both have jobs where it works in Canada too. We would need to switch and get different house and all. But we would do anything for our daughter. Even leaving all our family to get her the help she needs.

[@saddemgargouri]

get a Canadian doctor to follow up your insulin and prescribe for you , buy it there in bulk . You have the right of 90 days amount of prescriptions drugs . Check out customs and border laws

[@zbdot73]

Yeah move to Canada, or somewhere where you can get the meds cheap. In Australia, a 4 months supply of insulin costs about A$70. The main part that is expensive is CGM sensors ~ they're full price. ($600 for transmitter, plus $80 x 4 for the sensors) ~ unless your under 21, then they're heavily subsidized.

[@Jet-rx1ji]

JJ Rollins this is so sick. I’m disgusted.

[@nissimtrifonov5314]

"why are the prices for life saving medications so high?" isn't it obvious? if you go to someone and say "either you pay me whatever i want or you die" what is he going to do?

[@tiggernordberg7015]

This is unfortunately true

[@timthompson8235]

That was not a good idea showing that drug deal on camera you could jeopardize that girl's supply of insulin.

[@DeKosta]

Dude she took them there why wouldn't they show it. She probably makes extra money by selling insuline on the side.

[@timthompson8235]

@@DeKosta now that makes sense I don't know why I didn't see that, she has a disease where if she doesn't have this chemical she dies. She's probably selling any extra she gets for money why didn't I think of that? It makes perfect sense if you don't really think about it.

[@strahinjamijovic7125]

@@timthompson8235 Chemical? Do you even know what insulin is?

[@timthompson8235]

@@strahinjamijovic7125 It's a hormone, do you know what hormones are? They are chemicals produced in the body there I saved you a trip to Google.

[@kelleyannethomas5372]

The drug dealer can also jeopardize his own supply.

[@amenhotepthethird209]

America, this is shameful. There is no other western nation where people are essentially charged a life tax. You need to vote strategically to make it happen. People shouldn't have worry about the cost of getting sick. Healthcare is a human right. Wouldn't God say that (for anyone religious)?

[@King_of_Africa]

Until Republican voters stop voting base on their hatred of others then America is destined to destroy itself.

[@Stonegoal]

Paying for government healthcare is so called life tax with a very long waiting period and a death panel.

[@amenhotepthethird209]

@@Stonegoal You'll note that I make no attempt to convert Americans to a my way of thinking in terms of policy. It's hard to describe how it feels not to have to worry about getting ill. The tax rates in the US are often higher than elsewhere and certainly spending on healthcare is much higher than any developed nation, with poorer results. Again though, i'm not trying to change anyone's mind, just making a point. You surely can't be happy with the current state of affair's though?

[@Stonegoal]

@@amenhotepthethird209 You are not trying to make a point or you would be bring up data. You are just insulting and Americans are not afraid of getting ill or we would look at the problems and fix it. Government subsides, very very long FDA procedures, weird patent laws, many doctors getting educated about which drugs are best for what problems are being done by drug reps plus medical insurance promotes certain doctors and or drugs over other drugs(cutting competition therefor raising prices). We could give government control over everything, that always works out GREAT!!!!! You know food and shelter is much more needed than healthcare.

[@maxcovfefe]

@@Stonegoal FIRST, "death panels" was a myth. No such thing without even one credible source that says otherwise. It's a ruse that came from a proposed tax credit for doing end of life planning with your doctor. Certain dishonest politicians started calling that (along with a heated debate at the time about one's rights to euthanasia) a "death panel," which is entirely wrong. SECOND, the way most countries keep their healthcare lower cost than ours is they 1) offer public healthcare, paid in taxes with 2) an option for you to buy private insurance if you can afford it, which then gives them a tax credit because they opted to pay out of pocket. THIRD, multiple sources from Fox Business to the World Health Report rank the USA very low on healthcare and even life expectancy compared to countries that do this. It's kinda clear you don't know what other countries pay in taxes or you'd see ours is comparatively high, yet we don't get the benefits in return.

[@nkoroieric]

and yet american can afford a billion $ a day in the middle east

[@tdawg719]

I relate to that woman. I literally feel the damage my type 1 diabetes has done. I’ve had it for 11 years. I can feel the damage in my body from high blood sugar

[@greenthizzle4]

tdawg719 when your blood sugar is high do you ever feel your veins throbbing? It feels like my blood does not run as well

[@tdawg719]

Jake Mitch not throbbing but painful. Like my blood is liquid pain lol.

[@mrs_chin]

Has it hit any of your organs or peripherals? One of my cousins has type 2 and his vision was hit along with him getting neuropathy in his fingers and feet. I'm so sorry for y'all.

[@tdawg719]

Edward Wala you’re incorrect and you’re giving people dangerous information

[@tdawg719]

Ms. Chin BK it’s starting to get my legs.

[@SedDelMar]

Open source medicine. I am in awe. Let it be, oh please make it be.

[@Vlad2319]

Probably not going to happen. Bigger pharmaceutical companies snap it up happily and sell it at the same price as the other meds or keep it secreted away until the other meds are out of patent

[@twylacastaneda7117]

Or the developers just..dissappear..

[@cc3184]

Governments could get more involved in negotiating national drug pricing.

[@abemcgeorge3845]

I think the Open Insulin Project is a good idea but i think they need to patent their formula otherwise someone else could patent all their hard work and then restrict the flow of the product and diabetics would be right back where they started. If the O.I.P were to patent their product then they could safely keep anyone else from patenting the formula and they would still be able to help diabetics by allowing people or other facilities to manufacture and distribute low price insulin to diabetics in need for certain periods of time that way the prices can be kept low.

[@aleksandersuur9475]

It's not possible to patent something already published by someone else. And besides, it's not the patent that's the problem, the patents for original production processes have long since expired and are public domain. Anyone can use these production methods and pump out as much insulin as they like. They can't sell it in US though, unless you are one of the triopoly you'll never get an FDA approval to sell any version of insulin. That's also what's stopping anyone from simply importing dirt cheap insulin from outside US. The system is bought and payd for and you are not allowed to enter the playing field.

[@spellcheck5393]

In US FDA plays like doorkeeper and that's why prices are high for basic drugs

[@DavidMorrison85]

My PhD is on making cheaper pharmaceuticals like amylin byretta (INN : Exenatide). We have a way to do it biologically and cheaper. My funding has run out though but I am continuing to write up. Should I make a go fund me? This biotechnology could reduce costs 90%, biggest challenges are now commercialization and legislative.

[@deepsudeep]

That's where the big money will stop you, on the legal aspect

[@DavidMorrison85]

deepsudeep only in countries with entrenched pharmaceutical lobbies and political power. I am in south Africa, and might try get this tech adopted in India where they don't follow the rules of big pharma and focus on getting medicine to their population as cheap as possible.

[@greenthizzle4]

David Morrison you should get a CRISPr kit, which you can order online.. and then make yeast that produces morphine

[@dutchik5107]

Yeah i say go fund me. Not making morphine with yeast like this other guy is suggesting.....

[@deniseross2590]

There are other online fundraising vehicles for startups and venture capital. I would also approach some medical charities like Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders and even the Indian or other governments.

[@cococaramel4176]

My little brother has this and after watching this video, I have never been more grateful for the NHS. The fact some people don’t have access to a vital, life-giving resource is absolutely sickening.

[@marianaruffodias2312]

I have diabetes type 1 and in the uk I don’t pay anything. I don’t pay the insulin and the sensor everything is for free

[@RmnGnzlz]

Mariana Ruffo Dias No its not. Other citizens are paying for it.

[@marianaruffodias2312]

Ramón González well I live here in the uk and I have a Italian citizenship and I don’t pay anything. So yes it’s free!!

[@Fireclaws10]

Ramón González what’s wrong with paying tax for guaranteed healthcare.

[@ExileRicochet13]

@@marianaruffodias2312 I hope you will be cured from diabetes soon

[@marianaruffodias2312]

lxy315lxy thank you. Hopefully they will find a cure soon.

[@malacki6554]

According to the US, pointless, never-ending wars in the Middle East are more important than looking your own people.

[@WillemScheij]

I just feel very fortunate for living in the netherlands. I use all of the exact same products as americans, but its all insured here.

[@markgerhard1362]

It's always nice to have somebody else pay for your stuff.

[@elliotschka]

@@markgerhard1362 yeah i guess thats the good thing about a mature society that has an average iq > 70 ^^

[@markgerhard1362]

@@elliotschka What, if anything is your point? Or was your cat walking on your keyboard?

[@elliotschka]

@@markgerhard1362 my point is that im gladly paying some taxes for medical security and i like that others who are sick today can benefit from the system. and that is, from my perspective, a point of view every intelligent adult should have. - btw im more of a dog person.

[@markgerhard1362]

@@elliotschka >>from my perspective, a point of view every intelligent adult should have This is a typical belief pattern for somebody with your ideology. If you want to contribute to the healthcare of random strangers you have every right to do - just send a cheque to the nearest hospital and tell them to spend the money on somebody needy. But you don't have the right to coerce other people to join your little scheme.

[@gameswithaspoon4964]

My mother’s chemotherapy would be $16,000 out-of-pocket per month. There are no alternatives to the drug. Her medical insurance program through the state education board won’t cover it. Without my father’s military coverage, we have no idea what we would do.

[@jholotanbest2688]

You would have watched as she dies. This is what most of the world has to do.

[@marginelouis6674]

@@jholotanbest2688 yes most except for developed countries

[@saddemgargouri]

@@jholotanbest2688 no a lot of the common used chemotherapy drugs are old and relatively cheap , even Tamoxifen ( hormone therapy ) for instance costs 20 dollars here a pack Price gouging in USA is likely the cause

[@saddemgargouri]

@@quotidianlight depends , some cancers have a cure chance even in metastatic or with chemotherapy . the best thing you can do to your kids is protecting yourself from the most common cancers by stop smoking , being in shape good diet , and most importantly taking Mammography , and Pap Smear very seriously ( cervix cancer is 100 % curable at screening phase )

[@JanetWilliams01]

You would go bankrupt, like everyone else in that situation. Most of the bankruptcies in the US are due to medical costs.

[@twist777hz]

The message is crystal clear. Lower and middle income Americans that suffer from some form of disease or ailment should move to Canada, Ireland or the UK. Or even Latin America!

[@stormyalice]

If you are lower or middle class in America, chances are you can't afford to move.

[@bluebellflamesx]

Unfortunately, even in canada health insurance has yearly caps that most diabetics exceed in a few months, many are low income.

[@breonawarren1507]

Y O They probably can’t afford to move but honestly if they had the money to Europe would be a better option. English is common, they have the NHS, and a better likelihood of getting a job.

[@oliviayoung2254]

My son is fourteen and he has type 1 since he was 10. Im so sick of these greedy pharmaceutical companies!!! I’m also ready to take me and my family across the pond to Ireland. If they’ll take us. Lol. We are hardworking and I’m finishing my nursing degree soon. I’m ready to go:).

[@blue5400]

as a diabetic, i really feel for this woman. i think about it almost all the time. it’s very upsetting.

[@SD-co9xe]

This is so sickening. We need single payer healthcare.

[@JanetWilliams01]

We do need a change but single payer healthcare has nothing to do with the drug/pharmaceutical industry. Those are different topics.

[@reeceaguilar8374]

type one diabetic here. Single payer might make the problem worse By eliminating competition And providing limited coverage Since the federal government would be the only insurer

[@shaclo1512]

Is Insulin not covered by health insurance in America? What do you need an insurance then? 🤔

[@isaiahmacias6341]

Its would honestly be a lot cheaper to move to Canada than keep living in the US

[@based_f]

Guns>Healthcare

[@dracarys666]

"Are you going to get a patent" "No, we want to make it open source." (A) Scientists need to better understand the law; (B) The best way to protect your "open source" inventions are through patents. Patents do not have a use-it or lose-it property. By patenting your invention you can disclose your invention, making it easier for people to find, define your invention to make it harder for other people to patent a modified version of your idea, and you can still license your invention for FREE. Hire a lawyer... they are a necessary evil. Further, the liability the hospital would take on by producing their own drugs is unlikely to help the growing healthcare prices... I do not see insurance companies wanting to pay for that.

[@sashkad9246]

a patent on insulin? that sounds like a patent on aspirin. yes, a life-saving aspirin but still a very simple formula.

[@dracarys666]

@@sashkad9246 regardless of how one might feel about patenting molecules like insulin, the fact is that biologics are patentable. Not taking full advantage of your legal protections is as myopic as leaving your front door open. As to your "simple molecule" argument. Human biology is very complex. The chemical formula may be simple, but its interactions with your internal chemistry is rarely certain. For example, N2 is gaseous nitrogen and is fairly nonreactive. CN is cyanide. Note, there is literally only 1 atom difference between these two molecules.

[@Jet-rx1ji]

danK free for someone else to steal and patent perhaps..... smh

[@Vivra_Verra____]

It’s all about profit for these companies for the most part. Time to change the system quickly. I agree

[@AJ-xm4xc]

Emma l MASTÜRBÃTÈ WATCH VIDEÒ! They won’t until they are forced to.

[@campy3888]

@@AJ-xm4xc why are you trying to force a business to provide at your rates? nobody is entitled to survive their ailments

[@AJ-xm4xc]

Phong Nguyen So deplete the surplus population, is that what you’re advocating?

[@MrBarakados]

@@AJ-xm4xc Isn't it all about making things open sourced? Windows and Mac don't benefit the same way Linux does.

[@loveflying4488]

No profits no new drugs. There is a reason why US pharmaceutical companies are responsible for more than half of all new unique...not generic copies.. in the world. No profit and we become like all other countries in the pharmaceutical space. Generics galore and most definitely no development in drugs for orphan drugs.

[@IzzyIkigai]

The US health care system doesn't even earn it's name. Where's the "care" when you can't even get basic medication you need to survive? I live in Germany, make

[@robinmozingo771]

In my opinion, we can never get universal Healthcare here in the US. The pharmaceutical industry is too corrupt and there are too many kickbacks. The "Affordable Care Act" is a prime example.

[@jhher4116]

Even the wall street journal recognize the health crisis in the richest country in the history. Certainly, a single pay healthcare system is the solution to the oligarchy system in America.

[@shiverbay]

This is just insane. A vial of insulin in india costs about $3. The whole institutionalisation of medicine with insurance companies, hospital networks and pharmaceutical manufacturers is screwing up peoples health in the West. In India where I live its a free market, there are lots of manufacturers for every essential drug that leads to healthy competition lowering prices. And since insurance only pays for hospitalizations and not routine medicines customers have a right to choose which brand of the drug they want making manufacturers keep pricing low. Same with doctors and dentists.

[@kutie216]

Sadanand Kamat What we have is far from a free market & these company's patents only last 10 years, which starts during the randomized control trials and research period. They can only make profit/money back for 10 years before generic cheaper versions can be produced.

[@winw4548]

That is because most government or state will go for generic medication and since insulin is very old medication it is cheap. But, it seems medication company in India is to free of regulation bcuz I have patient taking medications from india and we can't make sense of the combination of medication they have and it's clinical benefit. Ie: metoprolol/amlodipine combination. This combination does not make sense and dangerous in some case. It is good to have a cheap medication available but it also need to be scientifically proven to be of use.

[@nora22000]

Don't brag. The research that developed those drugs was done in the US or elsewhere in the West.

[@19683]

If we hadn’t invented the zero you’d still be living in caves

[@nora22000]

@john smith Researchers are still working here. For diminished returns, but it still helps.

[@svettnabb]

Capitalism and free market will fix this. Nah, this is what did this in the first place. Look to Europe and see how we do health care.

[@jholotanbest2688]

Eirik Schølseth It is funny how America just keeps believing in the free market when it has been proven to not work in the nineteenth hundreds.

[@jenninakamura2575]

@@jholotanbest2688 America is far from a market economy, you ignoramus. Plenty of the Nordic countries don't run on socialized economy but rather market economy. While speaking at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, the center-right Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he was aware "that some people in the U.S. associate the Nordic model with some sort of socialism." "Therefore," he said, "I would like to make one thing clear. Denmark is far from a socialist planned economy. Denmark is a market economy." "The Nordic model is an expanded welfare state which provides a high level of security to its citizens," but he also noted that it is "a successful MARKET economy with much freedom to pursue your dreams and live your life as you wish." Do your research before you spout nonsense like a progressive leftist

[@jrwkc]

You mean buying the labor of capitalism? You think socialist would ever produce insulin? Capitalism produced recombinant insulin

[@jholotanbest2688]

@@jenninakamura2575 I have no idea what you are accusing me. I just said that it is weird and annoying how many Americans think free market is a fix all solution and this is still true. Note that there is a huge difference between market economy and free market economy. And I know very well how the the Nordic model functions after all I live in Finland.

[@svettnabb]

@asdfers - In fact, I am pretty sure that syntethic creation and the discovery of the need for insulin, was discovered by non-corporations trying to fix it.. The fact that said corporations trademark it and mass produce it, does not mean that they "discovered" it. So they did not really spend any billions in creating anything, they just stole a basic science discovery to make massive profits from it. In fact, tons and tons of scientific breakthroughs are from basic sciences - Something that even the US government spend billions and billions on, just because corporations do not want to take the risks to invest in basic sciences.

[@darksydesamy]

America should be ashamed of itself. Prescription drugs in other countries are relatively cheap and in America people are rationing. What a joke.

[@meowm3426]

On the other hand, people in my country (Malaysia) get free insulin from public hospital and some of them are wasting it, by keeping them in bulk and not using them until expired (because they get continuous supply - hospitals in Malaysia are subsidized by government). There are campaigns across the country to stop wasting free drugs. Most of doctors who got their degree from abroad always remind patients about how patients from other country have very difficult access to these drugs. Some people are dying to get these drugs. How people tend to forget to be grateful everyday. I hope US will changed their health service. I got my appendics surgery in US, it was already painful, but more painful for me to pay. I can't imagine if you have heart surgery.

[@nottherealRohaNNNN]

Shame on you *America* [MOST POWERFUL COUNTRY EH?]

[@vishalgiraddi5357]

I'm gonna start an insulin smuggling cartel soon.....

[@madasahatter5514]

Five to six to seven eight years? Umm ok then!

[@awestruckchild758]

This sort of thing makes me sick to my stomach... I'm a brittle, type 1 diabetic.. Without insulin? we die. What the pharmaceutical companies are doing to people is criminal.. I'm already dealing with complications and I'm only 32 years old, having to ration what I take.. sometimes not being able to afford to even test my blood sugar. I'm losing my eyesight, developing Vascular degeneration in my brain, losing feeling in my legs, my feet, suffering from liver and kidney problems as well.. And I'm Canadian, so you'd think it's easier for us up here... I couldn't imagine trying to survive in the states with the prices there.. I'm so sorry, for any of you that are down there and dealing with this... it breaks my heart.

[@lefeusombre1]

It's nice to be french sometimes, what a shame for the "greatest country in the world"...

[@greenthizzle4]

lefeusombre1 I'm American, and it's not the greatest anymore.. we are now the most imprisoned nation on earth, with so much corruption in politics..

[@Mrmaffol96]

@@thepokemonlover3806 Hihihihi, have a good time paying insurance :))).

[@bokey9346]

Paris isnt doing so great right now but haha its so true

[@funk44]

Pretty sure Americans have long since stopped stylising their country as the 'greatest in the world'. As an Australian I haven't heard that kind of rhetoric in many many years

[@Jet-rx1ji]

Simon Poulsen best... comment... ever. I’m off to get some free health care... wanna join?

[@JanetWilliams01]

For those who have responded here to point out they live in countries where they "don't pay anything" for health care, they do need to understand that, in fact, they do. They're just paying through their taxes, which are usually much higher than in the US. I've lived and worked in Canada (4 years), Australia (2 years) and the UK (12 years) and I can say that some of these systems work better than others. We do need to make a change in the US and move to a more supportive ("socialist") society as we see in so many other countries, but it needs to be implementable in a country where fierce conservatives fight for keeping the money they make as if their lives depended on it. These folks believe that taxation is about taking something away from them instead of building something to help them. As long as this attitude persists, fixing the system will likely be improbable.

[@deiniolbythynnwr926]

Everyone understands taxes, you're not special. The medication is free to people who need it because it's bought with tax money. We are happy to pay those taxes because we are not deranged scum.

[@tomhayes3291]

I live in Austria and here it costs me about 7$ to get any prescription drug in the pharmacy. The remaining costs get paid by the national health service. Of course I have to pay about 5% annualy into the NHS but everything is covered by this 5%. And if you have a low wage job or you are unemployed, you don´t have to pay anything! There is no way someone is drowning in debt because of medical issues. This is not a question of partisanship or free market but of human rights and moral. Even neoliberal thinkers like Milton Friedman admitted that free markets don´t work in education and healthcare. So why is the US still doing it? The answer is quite simple: If you apply free market strategies on areas of the economy or social life that CAN NOT work in that environment than over time the forces of free markets tend to create monopolies or cartels. This concept is well known and well intended. and as long as people keep accepting that system prices will continue to spiral out of control.

[@charless.7701]

"Dad, why did the American empire fail?" Shows this video. "Oh, wow".

[@r3dp1ll]

So glad I live in Europe

[@FLODDI100]

Living in Germany: We got mostly paid everything. Operations, Doctor/Hospital Visits, Pharmaceuticals if its not OTC (If u have money, you have to pay 5-10€ per Rx, depends how much it costs). Most 1st world countries got health insurence :P

[@andrews3951]

4:55 There has to be a better way of fixing the pharmaceutical system then the single payer route. Of course, I am not an expert on this, so reply if you have any thoughts to contribute.

[@andrews3951]

Oh, and if you are not familiar with the term single payer, it is the same as government healthcare.

[@Fireclaws10]

There isn’t. Single payer is cheaper because the government negotiated on behalf of the people. If they don’t like the price they can say no. Companies will bend to the government price nearly all of the time, especially when they negotiate on behalf of several million people. Also the corrupt practices of private healthcare are responsible for this. Hospitals and pharma companies put ridiculously high prices on a thing called a Chargemaster sheet so that the insurance companies can get discounts to look good to the consumer while still getting a ton of money. Obviously this breaks when uninsured people get into the system and are charged 150k for an appendix removal.

[@brianhennebeul1854]

What happens when ya have a kid who wants to stay up all night, ignore their homework/chores, and eat all of the ice cream in the freezer? You usually say "no!", right? You enforce it through various means, and attempt to reestablish control and order, not just because it's "your way or the highway", or even "because it's the right thing to do". You do it, because it is the responsible thing to do. To protect themselves from their destructive and impulsive behavior, and even yourself, others, and property, so as no one gets hurt, or anything damaged. Government allowing these companies to operate as they please, is the exact same problem. They simply refuse to take control, of these out of control children, who want to act and do, however they want, especially with how easy it is to just buy your way with the lobby system. Easy as that. Except in this case, their psychopathic behavior is strictly hurting other people, a.k.a., us.

[@andrews3951]

@@Fireclaws10 I counter argument could be that a similar price lowering could be induced by increased subsidization of private companies or laws making it easier for competing pharma companies to open up. More fair competition instead of a few big companies producing all of the medication, such as in the case of the small french insulin startup mentioned, could help to lower prices without relying on government intervention. Good point though. The private route has no guarantee of working.

[@nora22000]

Single payer is the only way to go. Anything else is crossing the Grand Canyon in two steps. Middlemen are counterproductive in all cases in heathcare. They add no value, yet take huge profits.

[@chriscole344]

the REAL key to reducing drug costs is to have a better healthcare system.

[@markojak35]

Since when is insulin patented? It's free in Serbia and in the Balkans???

[@Jet-rx1ji]

antistresskafa it’s patented everywhere. But, it can be free too (it gets subsided). They are not mutually exclusive. I think it’s very close to free here too.

[@chaist94]

The new formulations are still under patent, but the older ones are not. You can still get insulin over the counter for very affordable prices from walmart.

[@tellydianadayondon6534]

Type 1 diabetes is scary.

[@lifemusic2029]

Please we need Medicare for all!

[@sherryhouston7055]

First the guy doing the interview states the T1 pancreas doesn't make enough insulin. He got the description wrong a T1 pancreas makes no insulin. Secondly my husband is 42 and has T1 since he was 7 years old. We spend $1000 a month for insurance, medications, supplies, and doctors visits. Each year we set aside more and more money and each year we continue to use more money than we set aside. My husband has T1 with insulin resistance so he needs a lot of insulin thus requires concentrated insulins that cost over $3700 a month cash price, insulin pump supplies cost $18,000 a year... we do have insurance so we don't pay that but as I already stated we spend $1000 a month before we see a dime. I live in a state of constant fear of what if something happens. If my husband can't work, loses his job, becomes disabled etc we are sunk and literally looking at not only bankruptcy but life and death. How is that a life? I don't even go to the doctor myself because we spend all our money for my husbands care.

[@Apodeipnon]

I wonder when the patents will run out. The patent system seems broken, there needs to be change

[@loveflying4488]

Synerrox no patent means no new drugs. If a company can’t guarantee a high return on a new drug, then why bother when the cost and risk of failure is sky high. Every new drug has to go through fda testing which in itself takes half a decade. During that time, many pharmaceutical companies are revenue negative, not making any money but burning it through clinical trials. Even so, most drugs fail to pass third stage trials. That’s when many pharmaceutical companies go belly up. If they are successful in passing fda trials they immediately go public or are acquired in order to help balance the cap structure and reduce debt to equity. That is only possible if there is a high drug value and expected cash flows from exclusivity

[@jholotanbest2688]

mark k Just search patent system on KZbin. I know you are too lazy to that (at least I would be would) but I am just saying that the patent system is totally broken and there are many better options you just haven't reached the subject.

[@loveflying4488]

@@jholotanbest2688 evidence is king. Tell me a system that creates more unique drug treatments than the US 0atent system? You can't because the US creates more than half of the world's new drugs. Most other countries are busy creating generics. Why dont you educate yourself. My original post stand correct. Go read something. Mediocrity isn't a good look.

[@loveflying4488]

@Sam Williams you too buddy.

[@jholotanbest2688]

@@loveflying4488 I am not disputing that USA crates lots of drug treatments bro. I am saying that the patent system is incredibly good for the company's but bad for the citizens. And might be better alternatives like government funded reaches. Also the fact that USA is creating so many treatments might has something to do with the fact is is the largest economy and all of that jazz.

[@KelbenArunsun]

And thats why im glad to live in a country with a goverment subsadised healthcare system....

[@paladinmetwo5294]

Americans pay as much as 23 times more for insulin than they would pay in Australia. Also if you are on social security or pension $6.50 per scrip, (National Health System) And its 14 times more in the US than for patients in Canada. (National Health System)

[@BMarie774]

My dad was recently injured at work. He got a major cut on his cornea that turned to a cornel ulcer and got infected. The eye drops he needed, were almost $400. The type of infection he had blinds people very quickly, and we already didn't know if he'd ever regain his sight. The ophthalmologist flat out said "do whatever you've got to do to get those drops TONIGHT, or this won't have a good outcome". Thankfully, we had the money. But what about someone who can't dish out $400 unexpectedly for eye drops, that same day? When my mom asked the doctor this he did this shrug and said "unfortunately...they pray for a miracle and usually lose their vision..".

[@TheBingleichwiederda]

THIS IS THE BEST COUNTRY ON THE WORLD!??

[@estebandiaz4002]

USA has the largest military budget in human history, 24% of the worlds prison population (also largest in history) and is one of the richest countries on Earth. Within the last 20 years over half of the national wealth went into the hands of 1% (this happened regardless of which political party is in power). Half of the entire USA population can't afford a thousand dollar emergency. People are distracted by red/blue, race, religion, which bathroom one can use, meanwhile, 1% of the country is laughing at how stupid we are while they try and figure out how to take what little money we have left. I think regardless of political party MOST Americans can agree this is a problem. That's common ground WE THE PEOPLE need to utilize to make change. This needs to be talked about by everyone as often as possible.

[@EdMorleyTube]

#MedicareForALL

[@alexmedal5328]

Finally a video where the comment section isn’t rude

[@businesspug2100]

*Laughs in danish*

[@markgerhard1362]

That would sound like somebody trying to swallow a potato.

[@businesspug2100]

@@markgerhard1362 i Guess I can't argue with that

[@crimsonhalo13]

In other words: high drug prices, intellectual property laws, and nearly worthless insurance plans are killing America.

[@litojonny]

has Trump even done anything?

[@Stonegoal]

He has been fixing other things.

[@jaridkeen123]

No he is a Nazi and should be hung in the front lawn with his Whole Republican Party and supporters they are a cancer of Nazism in America and racism

[@Stonegoal]

@@jaridkeen123 He is a German socialist?

[@briangaron7609]

No he’s protecting us from planet Mexico I guess

[@NavaidSyed]

Reasons: FDA, Licensing, lobbying, taxation, permits, patents. (All government)

[@ixiaorage]

Lol America

[@avneeshrox]

I'm a diabetic from India and I pay an amount equal to 20 dollars for 1 month's supply of my insulin. Things in the USA are broken and it's very evident.

[@jasonlee9163]

Why is the modern day human body so weak?

[@jenninakamura2575]

Ikr. Might need to start bringing back eugenics.

[@thepope2412]

Because people with genetic diseases are much more likely to pass on their genes because they don't die.

[@thepope2412]

La Maci that's very antisemetic of you

[@taylorgabrielle6403]

It costs about 10 dollars to produce a vial of insulin. The us prescription drug prices are higher than anywhere else simply because they aren't forced to charge a reasonable fee

[@jeffreyevans3160]

but pharma has a $30 billion ADVERTISING BUDGET ...really need to re-discontinue that advertising of drugs .

[@mulberry100]

I pay $1,100 monthly for my insurance (it will go up each year). I have to pay $5,000 out of pocket before anything is covered. I have to pay $385/month for an inhaler for my asthma and over $600 for a single tube of medication for my seborrhea/dermatitis. I would survive, although be miserably itchy, without the treatment for dermatitis, but breathing is pretty essential. Spending $15,000-$20,000 on healthcare each year is assured and my only significant health issue is my asthma.

[@geoffdearth7360]

Insulin is a hormone rather than a drug which is why you can buy it OTC from Walmart without a prescription for $27.

[@camdensvec]

WHO CARES that your net price is going down?? YOURE SAVING PEOPLE DAMMIT

[@midcent73b]

The average price per unit across all types of insulin in the United States is $98.70, which is just over six times the drug's average price in Canada -- about $15.70 -- and just under six times the average price in Britain and Japan -- about $16.70 -- the RAND Corp researchers said.

[@nickel7569]

Open Source for everything is great.

[@kezkezooie8595]

This is truly a disgusting situation.

[@nzmanhdee6246]

Paul Ehrlich- “the battle to feed all of humanity is over. Hundreds of millions will starve.”

[@ILovePancakes24]

Lots of people with their bloated cost universal healthcare. These drugs like insulin should be available in generic at every drug store but we shouldn't be saddled with large costs of healthcare.

[@stefanx8344]

I have 4 long lasting insulin pens left in my fridge. Theyre still good. If you want them if you pay for shipping you can have them. I live in the netherlands.

[@AssassinoYunus]

You can import insulin from Bangladesh. They mainly starts from 6 dollar.

[@MiyuTheFallenAngel]

It makes me scared. My daughter is only. 2 she was diagnosed diabetic at 1. And we had to pay out the nose. We are still paying that last years bill. But now the new year is coming and we have to go through a whole round of bills again. And it’s making me so nervous we will be in the red and keep falling down. It scares me that my 2 year old daughter will not get the insulin she needs....

[@MissFoxification]

I legally imported medication from India for a decade, it was from the same pharmaceutical company but it took the price from 150$ a month to 6$ a month. The system drives the price up, the medical establishment bills the insurance companies a fortune, it lines the pockets of everyone involved. That's why a bag of saline worth a couple of dollars costs the insurance companies (and anyone who needs it) $600-$700. What incentive do they have to change? None.

[@EdMorleyTube]

a type 1 doesnt produce ANY insulin after their honeymoon period. for most its about a year after onset.

[@Yunchannel]

Thank you my dear friend for sharing this article. It is help to analyze actual circumstances!!

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

HIV positive Venezuelans are fleeing to Chile to get medical care, due to their country's crisis. Any day we are going to start receiving diabetic USA citizens. And there are Americans that faced to any criticism toward their country say "go to Venezuela." There isn't such a big difference.

[@philipdundee]

Here in Scotland ALL medicines prescribed by a Dr is free. For everyone. I take insulin and it costs me nothing. In this country we believe that illness is not a reason to make a PROFIT of the misfortune of others. It is AWFUL to see these young Americans struggle to afford a basic medicine. What a country.

[@norman7179]

People in some countries paying one fourth the price that Americans pay for the same drug, from the same company, LOCATED IN THE U S A !! How can they justify that?

[@TheGuizmo11]

USA a "civilised and advanced country" expensive healthcare health is an industry but freedom, right?

[@Christofferne]

Insulin here cost around 30$ to 100$ depending on amount you buy. But we have an insurance that can cover it too

[@thederekFawcett]

Yes insulin is expensive, but what about all the quality of life medications for Type 1 diabetics? Insulin is among the cheapest, or lowest out-of-pocket cost prescriptions for me. My insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor supplies are astronomical. They are deemed "unnecessary" by health insurance companies. It's like telling somebody with one leg that a wheelchair isn't necessary, they can do just fine with crutches. I don't know if that's a good or ethical analogy, but it's along the same lines.

[@TheRunningLeopard]

There is no good reason for the price of drugs to cost anything. People's lives should be treasured, not exploited.

[@bmsnigdha]

Have been struggling to pay for my mom's insulin with Medicare. She needs 6-7 vile a month and Medicare associated insurance charges her $47 a vile.

[@NavaidSyed]

Thanks to the "Affordable Care Act".

[@torsasmr4062]

Please know that a type 1 has to have insulin it didn’t a choice, we die without it. Some type 2 are managed with pills, others insulin and some with diet and exercise. In my eyes type 1 and type 2 are not close enough to be categorized in the same group.

[@ProkarsGaming]

This is just crazy how this works in the us. I pay 118 euros a month (which is accually high its usually 100 euros) for health insurance and if i want to claim something i have to pay the first 300 euros myself and then my insurance kicks in. $6800 is just totaly insane.

[@bragebjurholt2932]

In Norway, insulin is about half the price and when you spend have spent ruffle 250 dollar on medication you get free medication for the rest of the year, or any other kind of medical treatment for that matter

[@robinl4975]

I pay a maximum of 250$/year for my medications, but after 175$ i get 50% discount, after 200$ 75% and after 225$ i get a 90% discount.

[@MK-vh9wz]

Danish?

[@frankhoffman3566]

Republican lawmakers tell you in public that they are going to do something about this, but in private, they celebrate this system. They made this situation worse by outlawing the importation of Canadian drugs. They solicit these drug companies for campaign contributions, which they receive.

[@barrett8584]

This is disgusting, I don't know how the U.S government allows this to happen. I live in Sweden and I never pay for any healthcare, some things need to change.

[@Grugginmihh]

As an Australian I can't wrap my head around the US not having universal health care. Open to any explanation from people as to why they don't! I think I'm just so used to having it and can't imagine worrying that much about affording going the doctor/ hospital or getting medication

[@reettamalin1991]

Where i live in europe you only need to pay about 570€ or 650 U.S. dollars for your prescription drugs a year. If you go over that before a year the The Social Insurance Institution (which is free btw) will pay it

[@swagonswag100]

For anyone commenting that these people are diabetic because of lifestyle choices, please understand that there's a big difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs due to a genetic disorder where the beta cells in the pancreas stops producing insulin; therefore, many need to inject themselves with long-acting and short-acting insulins several times a day or go an insulin pump. Though political parties in America currently disagree on a lot of things, this is one issue both parties can agree on: lower the cost of insulin! Millions depend on it!

[@TheMightsparrow]

I'm just glad I live in the UK. Thank God