Due to the high cost of medication in the US, getting life-saving insulin has not just become unattainable but in some cases even fatal.

Despite promises from politicians and pharmaceutical companies, insulin prices seem to remain significantly higher than many other first world countries such as Canada and Britain.

Many have turned the insulin debate into a political one comparing the Trump vs Biden administration on handling insulin prices.

Regardless of how you lean politically, it is estimated that 92% of American’s agree that insulin prices need to be addressed.

In almost record time, many companies have been able to develop a vaccine for COVID that will be readily available in 2021 to save lives from a virus that has already claimed millions globally.

Unfortunately, life saving insulin is out of reach for many American’s who are struggling to make ends meet during a global pandemic/recession.

Insulin rationing has already claimed 4 lives in 2020 in addition to others who have been hospitalized for diabetic ketoacidosis or falling into a diabetic coma.

Right Care Alliance has several tragic examples of American’s who have died due to insulin rationing.

Meaghan Carter, age 47, Ohio (December 25, 2018) — Meaghan Carter had type 1 diabetes for 18 years. When she lost her job and insurance, she struggled to afford her insulin which cost more than $800 a month. She resorted to buying NPH insulin (intermediate-acting insulin) from Walmart, which is cheaper but much more unpredictable than the insulin she normally used. On Christmas Day, 2018, Meaghan died of diabetic ketoacidosis, one day before she would have received a paycheck that could have saved her life.

Due to high costs, currently 1 in 4 American’s are using less insulin than prescribed. This number can be staggering when you consider that over 1/10 Americans have diabetes.

One would think that this rationing would come from families who are on the brink of poverty, but are in fact many living in middle-class backgrounds and have health insurance.

No American should subject themselves to rationing their insulin as part of their financial planning, sharing insulin with others or worse, going completely without their life-saving medication.

The cost of producing insulin in the US on average is $4 per vial but may retail for $300.

In the United States, the pharmaceutical market is mainly controlled by a few major companies. Unfortunately, some have taken advantage of the patent system in order to gain a monopoly and suppress any generic drug manufacturers looking to compete in the market.

Even with medical insurance, some diabetes patients are still subjected to paying high insulin costs, high deductibles and don’t qualify for special medical programs.

Through social media, diabetics across the US are creating GoFundMe campaigns, asking for either payment or medical donations (people are actually asking strangers for leftover insulin) and of course rationing their insulin.

According to one study, 18% of type 1 diabetics have rationed their insulin at least once in the last year which can come at a serious risk which can be dangerous. Many are even trying to stretch out their testing supplies.

Many with diabetes are seeking their medication through international pharmacies for their insulin who sometimes carry generic options.

In the past, travelers from the US would cross the border into to Canada to purchase their insulin to save money. Unfortunately with border closures this option has become either difficult or impossible.

A 2016 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation discovered that 8% of those with diabetes would travel internationally to get their drugs.

The Food and Drug Administration does not enforce strict rules against those importing prescription medication for personal use.

Avoid Expensive Insulin by Ordering Online from Canadian Pharmacies

Due COVID-19 restrictions, many have been forced to rely on the internet or online apps for their shopping. Websites such as Amazon, online food ordering apps such as UberEats and buying your groceries through super market websites has become the new norm.

Similarly, many diabetics are discovering that purchasing insulin online from Canadian pharmacies provides the same convenience. Americans can easily and securely order their insulin online and have it delivered to their doorstep in as little as 2-3 business days.

As many Americans with diabetes are forced to ration their medication due to high insulin prices; online Canadian pharmacies remain a viable option for getting their much needed insulin and avoid taking any major health risks.