4 ms·

The inventors of insulin gave away the patents to specifically not profit off of a life saving drug. This is progress. However, I feel we have regressed as a so

by avelis 5y ago

The inventors of insulin gave away the patents to specifically not profit off of a life saving drug. This is progress. However, I feel we have regressed as a society on preserving equitable access to life saving drugs.

PragmaticPulp 5y ago
> The inventors of insulin gave away the patents to specifically not profit off of a life saving drug This is an insulin analog, which is a more modern patented drug. Regular insulin is available for $25/vial at Walmart already. Could be cheaper, yes, but at that price it's already approaching their costs of production, distribution, and sales. I hope the price of this insulin analog trends downward toward the $25 price of regular insulin.
- GordonS 5y ago
  Genuine question (I'm not diabetic): are the analogs actually any better than regular insulin, or were these analogs only created because manufacturers didn't like the margins on regular insulin, allowing them to hold up their hands and justify the price with "R&D"?
  - jowsie 5y ago
    They work MUCH quicker, which can be the difference between a mild headache and going blind for some people.
  - RHSeeger 5y ago
    The analogs are much more convenient to use. The short acting ones take effect much quicker, for a shorter period, and more consistently. The long acting ones (generally considered ~24 hours, but not really) are much more level in their effect (less spikes in it's efficiency). Instead of figuring out what you're going to eat, taking insulin for that, and waiting 30-60 minutes before you can eat; you can take them pretty much right as you eat. Instead of your blood sugar rising or dropping "randomly" over the course of the day, it tends to stay more consistent (though your body may decide otherwise). That being said, with enough testing (or a CGM, but that can be costly too), the older insulins work just fine; they're just annoying to use. You see your blood sugar going up, you exercise some; you see it going down, you drink some OJ. I tend to have to do the same with the newer insulins AND a CGM; just a lot less so.

by avelis 5y ago

PragmaticPulp 5y ago

> The inventors of insulin gave away the patents to specifically not profit off of a life saving drug This is an insulin analog, which is a more modern patented drug. Regular insulin is available for $25/vial at Walmart already. Could be cheaper, yes, but at that price it's already approaching their costs of production, distribution, and sales. I hope the price of this insulin analog trends downward toward the $25 price of regular insulin.

GordonS 5y ago
Genuine question (I'm not diabetic): are the analogs actually any better than regular insulin, or were these analogs only created because manufacturers didn't like the margins on regular insulin, allowing them to hold up their hands and justify the price with "R&D"?
- jowsie 5y ago
  They work MUCH quicker, which can be the difference between a mild headache and going blind for some people.
- RHSeeger 5y ago
  The analogs are much more convenient to use. The short acting ones take effect much quicker, for a shorter period, and more consistently. The long acting ones (generally considered ~24 hours, but not really) are much more level in their effect (less spikes in it's efficiency). Instead of figuring out what you're going to eat, taking insulin for that, and waiting 30-60 minutes before you can eat; you can take them pretty much right as you eat. Instead of your blood sugar rising or dropping "randomly" over the course of the day, it tends to stay more consistent (though your body may decide otherwise). That being said, with enough testing (or a CGM, but that can be costly too), the older insulins work just fine; they're just annoying to use. You see your blood sugar going up, you exercise some; you see it going down, you drink some OJ. I tend to have to do the same with the newer insulins AND a CGM; just a lot less so.