Inside The Factory Where Most Of The World’s Insulin Is Made

Type 1 diabetics need insulin to live, but prices for some brands in the U.S. have tripled or more over the last 10 years. That's not the case in Mexico. In fact, the cost disparity is so huge that it's sending American diabetics south of the border.
People like Lauren Hyre. Now the Arizona chapter leader of the nonprofit T1International that helps diabetics access affordable insulin, she was diagnosed with diabetes at age 8. And her family always had to deal with insulin insecurity.
"Before I moved out of the house, my family was just always scrambling. We would get enough insulin for one month and then start planning again for the next month," Hyre told VICE News. They would stock up any way they could - from getting expired samples from her doctor to getting surplus from other diabetics to going over the northern border for cheap Canadian insulin.
Hyre lives in Phoenix now and regularly heads to Mexico to stock up on insulin, especially when her insurance resets and she hasn’t met her deductible. She was VICE News' tour guide on the mission to find much cheaper insulin in Mexico.
The insulin Hyre bought in Mexico actually started as crystals at Eli Lilly’s main manufacturing plant in Indianapolis. So we headed there. VICE was the first TV news crew to tour the facility where much of the world’s insulin is made - at one of only three U.S. companies that provide insulin for about 90% of the world.
The reasons for the drug's high cost are complicated, and they're not changing anytime soon. VICE News examines what would need to happen to lower the price of insulin in the U.S.
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[@VICENews]

The reasons for the drug's high cost are complicated, and they're not changing anytime soon. VICE News examines what would need to happen to lower the price of insulin in the U.S. WATCH NEXT: Rural America Is Having A Mental Health Crisis, This Farmer Is Fighting It - bit.ly/2Wcppf7

[@victorpopov3809]

The high costs are not complicated, whoever has control of it just wants to make money, and they can do it

[@azthrashordie]

Shkrelli you ran up the flag pole for a drug that 75 people a year take and he gave away free to people who couldn't afford it. Big Pharma gouges the price on Insulin and "its complicated" smdh @vicenews

[@joeljimenez1570]

In the Netherlands it cost around €14,80 to get 1 pen of Novorapid 100E 3ml. That is in dollars about $16.60. I need about 4 pens per month. 4x €14,80/$16.60 = €59,20/$66,40. That would be yearly about €710,40/$796.80. But because we have universal healthcare and everybody has the "basic healthcare plan" by law I only need to pay €385,00/$431.51. It's called "own risk" health plan. Every person has to pay(by law) the maximum amount €385,00/$431.51. when making use of health care/getting prescription drugs. Everything more than that amount of €385,00/$431.51 in healthcare/prescription medicine (like insuline) will get paid by your insurance company. This is called "own risk". I hope America gets this one day. I feel bad for you guys...

[@thegreatmonster]

Are you trying to make people yell 'Build that wall, build that wall!'? (Read: people = from other nations) Is this not driving up the prices in Mexico and Canada?

[@elizabethclaire5432]

VICE the San Ysidro border crossing in not in the city of Chula Vista as you have it labeled. San Ysidro !!

[@isuckatgaming7225]

When insulin is more expensive than heroin... It's how you see your country is great..

[@HybridzProductions]

@Kindle Fire I feel sorry for you

[@comicnerd420]

@Kindle Fire no one should profit off of something u need to live. And the person who invented the formula for insulin agrees 👍. U shouldn't be a life long customer by force. And it's impossible for people born with diseases to be responsible for them. As they are literally babies. I thought all lives matter? But abortion by disease? Republicans have a round about way of legally doing abortions

[@itsking2u]

@Kindle Fire I hope you remember that in the future.

[@ericc4209]

Well.. .heroin is easy/cheap to make compared to insulin so wouldn't use that as an example..

[@isuckatgaming7225]

@@ericc4209 Yes i understand, i just mean is that one save life and the other kill.. And the cheapest one should not be the one that kill..

[@safaa9654]

The US has one of the worst health care systems for such a developed country

[@donny234]

developed like a multi decade heroin junkie lol

[@xdelta1]

add school, prison and democracy and yet there is more to discover that doesnt work at all!

[@vandreadparty]

Not one of the worst, THE worst health care system of any developed country.

[@stevenreynolds40]

You people disgust me, go get a job so you can pay 400 a month for health insurance to not cover anything like the rest of us hard-working Americans...or you can giiit out!

[@h.l.3683]

@Nick F o yes for holiday but not so many because it is of course not developed country for holidays makers

[@ho-hyongyoo3251]

In South Korea, insulin is 5$ for one bottle. 5$.

[@JR-ne4mv]

In Sweden it´s free.

[@so1667]

@@JR-ne4mv Also free in greece

[@joecramp2987]

Also free in UK and most of Europe

[@PSG1JOHN1]

US Law back in the 90s environment Law says you can't use this ingredients........ So they make the same drug with new ingredient and patent it... then charge 1000%.. In south Korea used the same old ingredient from over 100 years ago...... no Patent.. Blame the pharmaceutical and the dumb ass US law makers... that got it banned.

[@asmaizad6888]

@@PSG1JOHN1 completely right!!

[@MrApplehair]

In Kazakhstan if kids are diagnosed with Diabetes, government provides all drugs for free. It’s really sad to see people buying insulin

[@showsjohn]

@william terry Every other developed nation has healthcare provided by tax dollars. The US ranks below every single one of those nations. The free market system doesnt work, period. The insurance and pharma companies will jack prices up as high as possible because they know you won't put a price on your life. Most people will pay whatever they have to, to survive. They have all the leverage and the consumer has none. That's why in some industries, the free market doesn't work. Health care should not be for profit.

[@JulieWallis1963]

Carpe Diem when Kazakhstan is more advanced than America and America thinks they are land of the fu@king free. Insulin, all blood test monitoring, metformin, yellow sharps bins, free at point of purchase in the uk.

[@mosab7]

@william terry technically that's what the US is doing to its people

[@asiannation90]

it's not free...govt takes the money for other people to pay for you, giving the illusion of "FREE"...congrats, you're enslaving all other countrymen...clap...clap...clap...

[@gameplayplanet5015]

@@showsjohn What does the free market have to do with that? FDA makes it hard for companies to sell insulin because they have the toughest rules for a safety agency. Medication costs a lot in the US because regulators let big pharma get away with it.

[@dallasryder8125]

When I was deployed, insulin in Afghanistan was about $2-10 depending on brand. Most American brands were cheap, they we were just renamed with a subsidiary for international sales. I was able to get a bunch for folks back home.

[@mroceans8336]

Backwards USA, home of health control and gun care.

[@donny234]

they need a bullet vaccine

[@Blakhawk1703]

true story, I have a health care plan for my Mossberg 500.

[@fnorgen]

I need to remember that one.

[@artofkraneoxiii5335]

We can have both, the problem is incompetent leaders and politicians. You don’t have to sacrifice human rights in order to gain another human health right.

[@MaximusXXX77]

great play on words...and sadly, very true

[@jenisedai]

It's not $800 worth of insulin, it's $17 worth of insulin that Americans pay far too much for.

[@so1667]

America is a great country, 1 insulin bottle cost 400$..

[@costanzafamilia6322]

One vile 650$

[@KyleJPie10]

Costs me $100 for 10 vials. And I don't even have good insurance. Everyone is being horribly over dramatic. If you have a full time job in the United States, you can easily afford insulin. What needs to be changed is how ridiculously high deductibles are getting.

[@ddomenike]

It's free if you earn under 50,000 dollars and your insurance does not cover it. (www.lillycares.com/aboutlillycares.aspx)

[@doublehappiness9889]

@@costanzafamilia6322 *vial FWIW

[@costanzafamilia6322]

@@KyleJPie10 public health insurance in you're country don't cover actually covers only generic one's I heard that

[@MrGiftedhands11]

Mexico: Making America great again!

[@Agtsmirnoff]

More like making diabetics normoglycemic again.... God liberal can't meme

[@Agtsmirnoff]

@@zakirr739 Yah, let's not forget the other drugs they give us that slaughters tens of thousands of Americans. Oh yah, we forgot about that.

[@burgos041]

Making america healthy again lol

[@doingtime20]

@@Agtsmirnoff Lol are you trolling? You consume that stuff like its candies. Nobody is forcing americans to do drugs.

[@elementel2699]

Don't build a wall to keep us out. Love from New York. ❤️

[@ElijahLoganmaztrpeac3official]

Diabetic: Can I get *affordable insulin?* US Government: We have *insulin* at home Insulin at home: fentanyl for the low

[@stt5222]

Elijah Logan 😂

[@ddomenike]

Insulin is free in the US as well if you earn under 50,000 dollars and your insurance does not cover it. (www.lillycares.com/aboutlillycares.aspx). Instead of complaining, look it up!!

[@katiekane5247]

@@ddomenike it's a "deal" the pharma companies made in exchange for unregulated prices. If you've EVER had to deal with these "free" drug programs, you'd know how difficult they make it for you. Giving some away for free doesn't excuse scalping the rest of the people. You're better off getting so sick you cant work. That's screwed up!

[@Justin-nx3pw]

Insulin is only cheap in Mexico because the government stays out of healthcare.

[@fortis3686]

I am so happy I’m not a sick person living in the US

[@so1667]

Me 2

[@craigbigelow8160]

What sucks is to be dead!

[@vito741]

william terry oh look, yet another American who was brainwashed in grade school. America is not great nor has it ever been great, they put profit above people without a second thought

[@campkira]

you will one day.....

[@allahbless2278]

Yeah rather be a sick person in backwards as Sweden huh? Lmao

[@Atums01]

PROFITS OVER PEOPLE, ITS THE AMERICAN WAY!

[@dasalekhya]

WHAT !! a *CARAVAN* of needy people ... marching from USA to Mexico

[@blksheepdogtonyg.6453]

Lol

[@Megaghost_]

An invasion, you could say...

[@JoseRamos-ql1gv]

The irony right 😂

[@allankelly1696]

But they go back after lol

[@luisgutierrez8047]

@@allankelly1696 and they contribute to the economy

[@chrisdoherty2199]

In Ireland I pay €70 a year for my insulin, chips and tester. It would also be free if I wanted it to be.

[@LEO-xo9cz]

I doubt for much longer.

[@chrisdoherty2199]

@@LEO-xo9cz Why?

[@LEO-xo9cz]

@@chrisdoherty2199 Your PM concerns me.

[@chrisdoherty2199]

@@LEO-xo9cz What would be the reason for this price to increase in the near future?

[@asifnawab4872]

@@LEO-xo9cz Boris Johnson is pm of UK not Ireland

[@savagedragon79]

I used to work at a call center for a mail order pharmacy, definitely one of the worst jobs I've had. My first day on the phone while still in training a guy told me he was going to eat his shotgun if I couldn't send him free medicine. A girl next to me was brought to tears once because a woman wanted her full name to write in her suicide note blaming her.

[@xxmike112xx]

Sounds likes you two spoke to a few assholes who don’t understand how the system works and are willing to blame a call-center employee for something they can’t conttol.

[@martinrotvig]

Taylor Made people in desperate need do desperate things. An adult should know something so basic about the human nature.

[@MattSezer]

I haven't gotten that extreme, but I've come pretty close when talking to people for mail order pharmacies. Just understand that it's not personal. All the people who are actually to blame have made it so the only people we can talk to are people like you.

[@donaldmartinez1702]

People get so desperate for there meds that they're contemplating suicide? That's nuts.. I pay 700 dollars a month for health insurance and a doctor's visit is 120 dollars with Kaiser lol.. I pay 700 dollars a month for insurance and can't afford to see a doctor.. It's nuts..a regular doctor's visits bills is close to 400 dollars..

[@theadoptedtenenbaum]

@@xxmike112xx these companies understand that patients feel this way about their lack of treatment access. This is exactly why these call centers exist. They're willing to invest in employee's meager wages because they know that it means they'll continue being able to overcharge and profit off of our healthcare. They *do* understand how the system works. The system is designed to protect the wealthiest and most powerful individuals.

[@carolinethornber9196]

In the UK insulin is free for type 1 diabetics because it’s a life saving medicine for a chronical illness. It’s crazy that in America people have to pay such high prices for medicine that is essential to stay alive

[@BobRooney290]

well, we put profits over peoples lives. Murika!

[@JusdoinstuF]

I feel terrible people have to suffer due to corporate greed.

[@BobRooney290]

life is suffering. it's one reason i will never have kids. i'd never bring a soul into this hellworld.

[@qubitsmith7090]

The poor must be suffering in silence. God help them. This is downright wrong to charge that much money for insulin.

[@patrentfrow]

I see that this is a 2 year old comment, but I used to inject water into my insulin vial to make it last longer. it's really sucky being a diabetic

[@geoffrey6420]

@@patrentfrow So sorry about that brother. We hope things change for the better.

[@ayeyebrazorf7527]

that god supposedly gave them the disease. What are you praying for? isn't it already all pre determined according to you delusional sky daddy believers?

[@cutiesketlund2663]

they die so yeah you can say they are silence!

[@josef4059]

This is pretty sad. I was diagnosed in 77’ (43 years) with Type 1. I’ve used beef and pork zinc insulin crystals, Lantus, Humalog, Novolog and you name it. Disposable syringes, pens and pumps over the years and I’m still amazed at the cost of insulin and supplies. Ever since Genentech back in the late 70s used recombinant DNA technology to produce insulin, it would seem to me that the prices should drop. This technology (rDNA) is pretty mature, with incredible efficiencies in the Manufacturing compared to past processes. I’m currently using Humalog in a 670g Minimed pump. I currently use 1 10ml vial every 8 days or so. I calculated that I would pay nearly $1400 per month at cost without insurance. That’s just insulin and doesn’t include the material consumables. People wonder why I’m stressed at times. One thing for sure, people that have this condition and can’t afford insulin shouldn’t have to worry.

[@jeym7825]

This is what happens when you have pharmaceutical monopolies

[@Jorge_Rafa]

pharmaceutical companies are not the problem!!!! The insurance and PBM's are the major issue. PBM and Insurance companies have been feeding you miss information. If the pharma company is the issue how come its cheaper in Mexico?

[@jeym7825]

I_TouchDown_There Win Its all of them the pharmaceutical companies, the PBM’s and the insurance companies they are taking advantage of us to get filthy rich

[@Jorge_Rafa]

Jey M they are totally are making a ton of money. How come it’s cheaper to get meds over the mail that at a local pharmacy? Because insurance companies now own PBM’s 1. UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealth created OptumRx, its in-house PBM by combining existing pharmacy and care delivery services within the company in 2011. It also purchased CatamaranRx in 2015, which expanded its PBM capabilities. 2. Anthem. Anthem will launch an in-house PBM called IngenioRx. Initially expected to launch in 2020, the insurer said it will now expedite the roll out. In March, Anthem terminated its PBM agreement with Express Scripts. 3. Aetna. Aetna recently merged with CVS Health. As a result, Aetna now has access to CVS Caremark, the PBM of CVS Health. 4. Cigna. Cigna recently merged with Express Scripts, one of the top PBMs in the nation. It also had Cigna Pharmacy Management, a smaller in-house PBM. 5. Humana. Humana has its own in-house PBM called Humana Pharmacy Solutions. The insurance companies are the problem.

[@Jorge_Rafa]

Pharma still make billions but they spend it on research and salaries. Insurance companies don’t they just get in the money and provide no new services.

[@lordihlendam3619]

Not really. This is what happens when you have inelastic demand. It doesn't matter what the pharmaceutical company charges for insulin, consumers have to pay because if they don't, they die. Capitalism breaks down at a fundamental level when the consumer cannot negotiate effectively with the supplier, as it has with medicine in the US.

[@matthewcgrammer]

Please keep producing content like this, opposed to the the recent videos which only seem to pander. I LOVE classic vice.

[@wiidiwii]

My asthma medicine cost me 380 bucks with out insurance in the u.s. .. Ive been living in Paraguay for 2 years now. I was shocked the first time I went to buy my medicine and it was only 17 bucks.. The exact same thing ... We are really getting screwed in the u.s.

[@MISHANJUNGBASNET]

here in nepal, a nordisk insulin pen cost around 50-60 us dollar, and fill is around $15 per tube which last for 2 or 3 weeks depending how you use it. funnier parts is it cost around $ 1.5 per day(two chips) for sugar level check chip, that measures your level. i guess it around $70 dollar average per month

[@BobRooney290]

so in other words, nobody can afford it. nepal doesnt seem like a place that pays the same as NYC.

[@fruktoo]

I have brand new 2022 Nordisk pen still in the box I wish I could give you...

[@nicholastravisano3439]

“I don’t know the price” yeah right dude

[@rondlh20]

The American system is quite rotten

[@LEO-xo9cz]

They make money off the foods and things that cause it and the cure.

[@elementel2699]

Yes. But it's a global problem. 😒

[@LEO-xo9cz]

@Crim Sin Thanks to the crap food that the pheasants eat due to slavery, marketing, cost of living. A McDonald's is cheaper than a healthy meal.

[@campkira]

it never was made for other people...

[@elementel2699]

"They call it the American dream because you gotta be asleep to believe it"

[@pogan4916]

1 bottle in Philippines is 2$ lol 😂. Department of Health sent spies regularly to check prices.

[@doingtime20]

Well well well USA, so now you don't use the grainy film with sepia color tone when showing Mexico. In this specific case we are not the scary and suspicious neighbor, we are on full color and a hopeful place. Lol. Just kidding. Somewhat.

[@nickc3657]

Weird how other industrialized countries don’t have this problem, huh

[@shaileshupadhyay1699]

In India 7 huminsulin vial ( 30/70) cost around 12$.

[@hfredydl]

Louise’s question about the medication is a perfect example of how traveling, especially to our neighbors is essential for understanding not just them but our own system ... if all Americans traveled abroad I know we wouldn’t stand for the state of our current medical system

[@MrMedalice]

In Finland insulin is 100% free. Same with bloodsugar measurement used needles and those slides. 100% free, just go to doctor and they give box of em or pharmacy for free insulin pens.

[@chriscem]

But u pay >70% in taxes

[@theblondeone8426]

my symbacort inhaler is $450 here w/o insurance ( I need it monthly) but in mexico its $50 with my copay its $100 I pay for insurance just to afford this but my insurance is $400/mo when I saw this the lightbulb came on

[@allankelly1696]

I live in Canada and have work coverage and just bought the same inhaler for a 1$

[@diamondsngunns88]

Allan Kelly wow wow wow

[@zues121510]

I sincerely hope that, from the bottom of my heart, that Americans will realise how bad their medical system is compared to the rest of the world, and take action to change it. In the UK, we have the NHS, and I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 1, and have never paid a penny for insulin, needles, etc. I was shocked to hear that people were literally dying because they couldn't get insulin because it somehow had a pricetag... And it was 100s of dollars to top it all off! The insulin companies make over 90% profit from these products, and simply rely on their status of being a manufacturing oligopoly that makes a medicine that sustains millions of people's lives to steal your money! There's no way that two developed, first world countries should have such a massive difference in accessibility of any medicine that can kill people if not injected for a few days. It's sickening.

[@tuomopoika]

I just checked that Humalog pens cost about 47€ in Finland. 5x3ml. Also I think KELA pays most if not all of it anyway.

[@alohadave13]

Bravo! I am flabbergasted at what diabetics have to go through. Great reporting. I was already aware of this, and deeply saddened. I'm not diabetic, prone to be, but just in case, I already live in Mexico, near Tijuana too. LOL

[@biggy06605]

Amazing reporting, thank you!

[@marketmerchandise2989]

Hahaha....they call that Cartel....CAPITALISM!!!

[@Dino.808]

😂

[@LEO-xo9cz]

Corptocrisy.

[@campkira]

lobbyist...

[@2001lextalionis]

Making the US great again starts with fixing this problem

[@4777hamza]

*providing universal healthcare

[@oldcoffer]

Vice, you're fantastic recently. I think a change in title on this video would attract a wider audience.

[@XRUSO619]

The opening scene is NOT Chula Vista. That is San Ysidro. Chula Vista doesn't run along the border

[@margaretkopretina]

I was thinking the same thing lol. I even googled it to make sure

[@grateful.]

So your saying this is fake news?

[@kaotikhorror]

As a type 1 diabetic, not having insurance was more life-threatening than you think. I have had the luck to have a nice endocrinologist who understood and gave me samples, I was given 10 bottles, back then each bottle was about $50 out of pocket. I was so thankful. I am insured now, just glad those horrific days are over.

[@leovids9353]

The cheapest insulin I could find in India is about $0.1 for a 10ml vial.

[@algore92]

great piece, vice.

[@myblasphemouslife9052]

I’m 26 years old with GERD which is horrible, sometimes I can’t eat anything for 2-3 days. Living with it is absolute Hell, and I can’t get surgery here in America because it’s too expensive for me. I already struggle to pay for my university classes, I’m at the point where I’m so frustrated that I plan to move out of the country once I’m done with university.

[@K581O_o]

:( that is F*ed up man

[@ericsalidbar1693]

Me and my girlfriend have gerd it's some of the worst pain I've ever felt in my entire life and I have nerve damage and pain from car accidents. I know pain. Every single day of my life I know pain.

[@nephilimslayer73]

I can't believe how crazy the system is over there. In Australia, all citizens have access to public healthcare and subsidised prescription drugs. The companies are forbidden to directly market their brands to patients; they can only promote to qualified doctors and the doctors have the final say. People on low incomes get medicines for $6.50 each. Diabetes Australia also runs a scheme to supply other diabetic requirements at a subsidised cost. What the hell is wrong with you, America??

[@bigdadgo]

How did you guys refrigerate your insulin that whole time? I pay a $25 copay for 3 boxes every month (15 pens).

[@oggyreidmore]

The company Eli Lilly is valued at $320 billion. The US government could purchase the company and run it as a non profit utility. We could provide insulin to Americans the UK price ($7.52 per vial instead of $98.70), which would be a 92% discount, and then export the insulin to other countries at the price they are currently paying. The purchase would pay for itself in 15 years and then it would be revenue generating. But we can't do that because *SoCiALiSm*🙈🙉🙊

[@Nekminute]

Americans dont need health insurance only V8 engines and AR 15's YEEEHAAWWWW MURICA !!!!!

[@Dino.808]

😂

[@dragorocky]

Right off top, THAT ain’t Chula Vista in the opening. That’s San Diego. The neighborhood is San Ysidro. It’s South San Diego, but it’s still SD.

[@joeljimenez1570]

In the Netherlands it cost around €14,80 to get 1 pen of Novorapid 100E 3ml. That is in dollars about $16.60. I need about 4 pens per month. 4x €14,80/$16.60 = €59,20/$66,40. That would be yearly about €710,40/$796.80. But because we have universal healthcare and everybody has the "basic healthcare plan" by law I only need to pay €385,00/$431.51. It's called "own risk" health plan. Every person has to pay(by law) the maximum amount €385,00/$431.51. when making use of health care/getting prescription drugs. Everything more than that amount of €385,00/$431.51 in healthcare/prescription medicine (like insuline) will get paid by your insurance company. This is called "own risk". I hope America gets this one day. I feel bad for you guys...

[@Thegaoat]

Andrew Yang 2020 let’s fix these problems!

[@grateful.]

Lmao how would he fix it?

[@Justin-nx3pw]

By adding more government regulations? Lol nah. The only reason Mexico has cheap insulin is because the government stays out. Andrew yang isn’t about that at all. In fact, I don’t know of any politicians that are.

[@larrystiner6576]

I've been a diebetic for 20 years and my A1c is between 5.9- to 6.5 every 3 months.

[@miguelsaldana6991]

Weird flex but okay... jk lol thats actually very impressive, been one for 6 years and ive never been below 7!

[@Afoothatsfire]

I love how they shed the light on the truth that us diabetics have to live in the United States

[@sunday8979]

My friend had a diabetic stroke on a street corner. When will this madness end?

[@mohammadvahidnia7446]

in Iran we pay almost 2.26 $ for each pen ( both novorapid & lantus ) without insurance . all insurances here support 90% of 5 pens a month of each, so it will be 2.26 $ for 10 pens ( 5 novorapid + 5 lantus ) a month. i am shocked by the prices in US !

[@noirto2]

The US caravan to mexico... we send our best? I guess just the sick it seem.

[@grateful.]

The difference is we send them and get them back

[@noirto2]

@@grateful. and prior to the stricter enforcement of border policy, they work here than go back. so didn't use to be different from your statement.

[@grateful.]

@@noirto2 most of them stayed here though

[@noirto2]

@@grateful. because now there is strict enforcement of immigration, so once they leave they cannot come back every now and than. So they just say stuff it and stay here forever.

[@grateful.]

@@noirto2 you make it seem like them staying is a new thing. Not all of them were going back at night to thier home in mexico

[@zakizaki0]

Even the politicians who are talking about this don't want to fix it because of intense lobbying ...

[@daesfu]

México welcomes everyone from anywhere.

[@zakizaki0]

@@daesfu Not everyone is living in s.border states ...

[@BizzeeB]

What's strange is which medications are and aren't expensive in the US - many common prescriptions are almost free. My blood pressure medication costs 50 cents (!) with my copay. Common antidepressants and pain pills cost $5 for a month's supply with a decent insurer (and not even a crazy price paying out of pocket). It's just odd that in some cases, manufacturers decide to price gouge, and there are no rules in place to prevent that.

[@mustafaabdulsahib9317]

in iraq if you buy it, the price for one vial about 10 dollars, also you can get a prescription to a public clinic with a price of 1 dollar in rural areas to 2.5 in city areas to get one ticket which may get you 2 to 4 vials in that one ticket every month

[@davidk.5010]

"It depends what people are paying in the insurance point of view" 7:10 . Damn bro. These types of people are no better than Chinese government consultants.

[@CarolinaChoppers]

Wow I finally find a Vice Doc I am interested in and you guys don't even put up links to the featured pharmacies site? Or links to the websites you guys discuss? I tried google to no avail....

[@robbi2380]

My dad paying 4$/month for government's public healthcare insurance , and he got a pen of insulin for his diabetes and some drug for his coronary problems, what a relief

[@17Matches]

I have type one diabetes and it sucks having to buy insulin just to stay alive.

[@felipenunez2058]

My dad got sick in mexico multiple times while on vacation. A couple of days in the hospital with antibiotics it was 30$. My uncle is a doctor and works for the state he doesnt make much but his says that he sees a lot of americans.

[@whatever5922]

I love living in Mexico. The US is very pretty but I don’t understand how some people can live like this

[@ericsalidbar1693]

I have heart problems I work for the us government and I still have to pay out of pocket for all my heart meds. And the doctors visits. I love my country the ppl in office not so much

[@jonatanwestholm]

6:15 , the $1.2B investment in manufacturing over 7 years should be compared to the company's yearly revenue of $24.6B in 2019.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

Hell, I lived there for 3 years about a decade ago. I wish I could go back. Dental, health care...all are easy to access and so damn affordable it's not even funny. Doc visit was $10 or so....with a shot. and lab...not bad.

[@Daenni909]

When you hear what the first lady said you really understand what those wonderful people mean when they say "Greatest country on the earth".

[@janquillin1562]

Omg I live in the UK and can order as much insulin when ever I want for free plus a glucose monitor! We are so blessed but take it for granted😲

[@noneyours3237]

I work in a United Healthcare call center and manage pharmacy benefits for multiple insurance companies. This is a sad story I hear every day.

[@ChristianGomez-ep5gi]

Where is this pharmacy located? My daughter is T1d i would love to stock up for emergencies

[@so1667]

but i dont understand if you have insurance you still need to pay for insulin?

[@MattSezer]

Many insurance plans have deductibles and co-pays. If a plan has a $5,000 deductible, then they'll only cover the cost of insulin after you've spent $5,000 out of pocket. You can get plans with $0 deductibles, but you're paying like $900 a month for that compared to someone like $300 for the plan with the $5,000 deductible. Many companies only give their employees plans with high deductibles because its cheeper.

[@grvc44]

In the philippines 1 vial will cause you more than 300 pesos arround 7 dollars. But for people who is suffering from diabetes like my aunt, it is considered expensive. So I'M quite surprise about the 200$ insulin in the US.

[@thetruth6435]

Why is insulin prices so high? Moneh, buddeh!!

[@angryguy714]

I am genuinely surprise no one on the video blamed president Trump. Great video. 👍🏽

[@ashleywhitethisisabsolutel1004]

I am from the United Kingdom where we have a national health service so we pay for healthcare out of our taxes comes out of our paychecks automatically. So in essence we don’t pay for healthcare because it’s free at the point of use and there’s no limit to how often you can use the healthcare because regardless of how much you pay you still have the same standard of healthcare. I am aware that a lot of Americans go to Canada which is quite a drive away from America depending on what state you’re in And I’m also aware that Mexico isn’t a five minute walk away from the United States because it depends how close you are to the border in the first place and there are many checks you have to go through to get across the border so it’s not as easy as they make out, but it’s true. The American healthcare system is probably the best in the world if you can afford it but if you can’t it’s a nightmare. No human being, whether they be American Mexican, British or whatever, nobody should have to go without medication America is known for its extortionate healthcare system.

[@azure8696]

Medical bills are one of if not the leading cause of debt in the U.S.

[@katiekane5247]

#1 reason for bankruptcy is medical debt!

[@emptyangel]

can't believe the US is trying to export their healthcare model to the UK lmao

[@justincoleman7856]

There's a newer organization that's working to make the idea of getting insulin to ridiculously low prices & they're called Open Insulin. They just made a video and its also going viral right now.

[@karlpark8575]

To all my American friends - Stay healthy by exercising and eating healthy. Don't smoke and don't drink too much. If you become diabetic, consider moving to Canada or Mexico.

[@sharonsomers]

Canada does not have a universal drug plan by any means, unless over 65. If you get a supplemental insurance plan it may cover some costs, but not all. If you are on a group plan at a job, that may cover things. If you are self employed, good luck. I have a bottom of the barrel health insurance plan, the best I can get, I sure have looked at all options, and I have a whopping $250 a year drug coverage on that plan. That would last less than 2 weeks of my meds. I am very lucky my endocrinologist supplies me for free with insulin. I am very resistant and go through a lot of it, around 120 units per meal, so one pen lasts me just over a day. I'd be paying several hundred a month if she didn't supply me with it. Yes, it costs a lot less here in Canada than the US, but it's by no means free or near it. People ask me all the time why I don't move to the US, there's no way on earth I could due to the drug costs alone. Let alone other insurance issues being a self employed person. I genuinely feel for US diabetics, it's very wrong to make ones suffer so just to try and get basic medicines.

[@panzer5033]

Why the sharp spike in price after implementation of the ACA? Could have sworn it had price controls.

[@vandreadparty]

The ACA had very weak price controls because Obama foolishly thought he could get the GOP on board if the government did not control market prices too much. As we all know now that was a dumb strategy and the GOP was never going to sign unto the ACA.

[@bendejo8]

"tens of millions of dollars of insulin" Yeah, if you call it by USA prices, otherwise it'll drop a lot. 6:30

[@chiragarora2827]

Totally legal! Insulin is a hormone, not a drug.

[@Psychometriks]

start to think why do you have so many diabetics in US

[@SimonAndersen21]

dio dio type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that has nothing to do with lifestyle (diet/exercise)

[@Psychometriks]

I strongly doubt that. everything has to do with the lifestyle.

[@MrAndre1323]

@@Psychometriks well, I guess than we don't need doctors and scientists anymore when we can just rely on your gut and whatever you feel is right, nevermind actual research...

[@Psychometriks]

this is 4sure. cause there is not a specific definition yet. but maybe in US you have your specific definition states by FDA or DOH

[@bruhwtf2864]

@@Psychometriks ignorance is bliss

[@TheJerbol]

How does a company release a generic brand of their own product for half the list price? Why would it be any different than the product they sell normally?

[@wiggiemanjb]

If your on a pump the supplies are even harder to get

[@fernandoelizarraraz8503]

We need change. My family and I go down to Mexico regularly to get some for my wife.

[@jaysekhon8014]

Buy it from India and have it shipped to you here in an ice chest, a lot cheaper than traveling to TJ lol

[@yurikumeta1565]

I was diagnosed when I was 4 Now I'm 25 been living with it for 21 years yet but I've never heard of using Expired insulin. I was born and raised in manila I know how expensive it is yet haven't heard of using Expired insulin. That's really disappointing😭😭😭

[@sharonsomers]

Most drugs are good way beyond the exp date. Any doctor will confirm that. They legally have to put something on there and the effectiveness may be slightly reduced, but in most cases it's nothing to worry about unless it's years past the exp date.

[@emilyloosli]

The greed level at corporations in the US is psychopathic.

[@MarkBlaze]

I use Apidra in my insulin pump and the prices are sickening here. I would be willing to goto mexico to get it cheaper. A vial of Sanofi Apidra is about 325 dollars paying with cash for me.

[@Agtsmirnoff]

Sanofi gives it out for free if you can't afford it....

[@ddomenike]

If you have health insurance and your copay is 100 dollars or less, you get it for free. If you earn less than 32,000 dollars without insurance coverage, you get it free too. And if you still don't qualify for any of these, you pay 99 dollars for a 30 day supply with no income limits.

[@randomnetfiend]

$295? *that's ludicrously expensive! I'm in Australia and it costs me au$5.40 per week.* (I'm on a low-income card) the regular price without the low-income card price cannot be more than $30.00 per week as *our government caps the price on necessary medications.* Your government should too.

[@mohammadaliwi5853]

I feel so bad, I live in the U.K. and insulin is completely free and I used to live in Belgium and it’s completely free to.

[@bonifacebanta4590]

In Malaysia you probably pay less than USD50 if you are buying it at the pharmacy. And free if you go to government hospital

[@Alvin-eq5rc]

How do I know if I’ve diabetes?

[@erik2811]

A Drugstore in Mexico called Amsterdam and English spoken. I'm a bit confused

[@saber.4452]

That vp dodging questions 💔

[@j.d.hutchens3561]

I take Januvia pill cost 100 mg cost about 400 a month. I take a long acting insulin tresiba 100 units at night. Cost 1900 a month. And another insulin which is fast acting at about 200 dollars a month. Now that's just my insulin not other meds a take. My drug bill for one year about 24 thousand dollars. Thankfully I do have insurance that does help.