[Insulin: a story 100 years long]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Medical History
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The year 2023 marks the centenary of the discovery of insulin.
• Insulin remains a critical treatment for diabetes mellitus.
• The Lancet dedicated a special issue to commemorate this milestone.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the main contributions to the history of insulin.
• To highlight the evolution of drug pricing, using insulin as a case study.
• To underscore the impact of pricing on patient accessibility to essential medicines.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of key contributions to insulin development.
• Analysis of drug pricing trends related to insulin.
• Examination of accessibility issues stemming from drug costs.

Main Results:

• The historical review showcases significant advancements in insulin therapy over 100 years.
• The analysis reveals a concerning trend of escalating insulin prices.
• High drug pricing is identified as a major barrier to insulin accessibility for patients worldwide.

Conclusions:

• The 100-year history of insulin is a testament to scientific progress.
• The current pricing of insulin is unsustainable and unethical.
• Urgent interventions are needed to ensure affordable and equitable access to insulin for all individuals with diabetes.