100 years of Insulin: Why is Insulin So Expensive and What Can be Done to Control Its Cost?

The discovery of insulin 100 years ago and subsequent improvements in insulin formulations and delivery devices have changed the lives of people with diabetes. Unfortunately, the average price of insulin in the United States has nearly tripled over the past decade, and the high cost of insulin has become a barrier to diabetes treatment. On the 100th anniversary of insulin's discovery, this life-saving treatment is financially out of reach for as many as one-third of people with diabetes. The challenge now is to ensure that insulin is available for all people with diabetes who need it. We explore reasons for the high cost of insulin and recommend some clinical and policy interventions to improve insulin access and affordability.