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Hey I'm all for making sure for every last Diabetic is getting Insulin at an affordable price but do you think that changing our system to a Socialist one might
by hourislate 8y ago
Hey I'm all for making sure for every last Diabetic is getting Insulin at an affordable price but do you think that changing our system to a Socialist one might be a little extreme?
On a recent Peter Attia Podcast ( https://peterattiamd.com/jakekushner/ https://peterattiamd.com/jakekushner/ ), Jake Kushner (Diabetic Specialist) says it's mainly because the US Government doesn't mind paying $300 + for Insulin (Medicare/Medicaid), so that's what the drug companies charge. In places like Spain it costs about $20 because that's all the Government will pay.
Even if the US Government gave Medicare to all, they would still (tax payer ultimately) be paying $300 + for a bottle of Insulin that costs $20 USD in Spain. What needs to happen is the US Government should demand a better price which should lower the cost for everyone else.
As an alternative for folks who need Insulin and can't get it, is it possible to go to Canada and buy it for $30 CAD (about $20 USD) a bottle. If you need a prescription just see a doctor there. They won't even charge you for a visit at a walk in clinic typically.
- QuantumAphid 8y agoThe Medicare/Medicaid system is specifically prohibited by law from negotiating drug prices.* https://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2017/jan/17/tammy-baldwin/tammy-baldwin-federal-government-prohibited-negoti/ https://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2017/jan/17/... Also, it's illegal for US citizens to order or receive prescription drugs from Canada. So, your advice can be made to work, but not as public policy -- something like 9% of the US population has diabetes -- 30+ million people. *Trump has vowed to “bring down drug prices” and has criticized the current policy prohibiting negotiating prices with pharma companies. Republican Congressional leaders have not specified any proposals to reduce drug costs.
- pmoriarty 8y ago"is it possible to go to Canada and buy it for $30 CAD (about $20 USD) a bottle. If you need a prescription just see a doctor there. They won't even charge you for a visit at a walk in clinic typically." Is it legal to bring it back across the border? If so, or even if it's not, I'd be surprised if there wasn't a black or gray market for insulin in the US, making money off the arbitrage between insulin prices in the US and Canada.
- QuantumAphid 8y agoAlso bear in mind that insulin has a finite shelf life. An unopened bottle of insulin lasts for 3 months when refrigerated. An opened bottle stays fresh for 4 weeks. Plan on your Canada shipments/visits multiple times per year...
- AnimalMuppet 8y agoAmerica's insulin crisis shows why we need something different than what we have. Socialism is something different, but it may not be the right "something different".