A recent report by RAND highlights a staggering reality: the gross price of insulin in the United States is over nine times higher than in 33 other high-income nations.

The study, updating previous findings, exposes a persistent and significant disparity in insulin prices, even after accounting for discounts and rebates offered by manufacturers.

The report, based on IQVIA MIDAS data spanning 2017 to 2022, compared insulin prices in the US to 33 nations within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Regardless of the type of insulin or the comparison country, the prices in the US consistently remained higher – often five to 10 times higher than those in other nations.

While the average gross prices per 100 international units of insulin in the US were a staggering 9.71 times higher than those in the OECD nations combined, even after factoring in discounts, the net prices in the US remained 2.33 times higher.

Insulin, crucial for managing blood sugar levels in individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes, has seen a dramatic surge in prices in the US since the early 2010s. The average wholesale-acquisition price for various forms of insulin increased by 15% to 17% annually from 2012 to 2016.

Despite ongoing efforts to address the issue, including the Inflation Reduction Act capping insulin cost-sharing at $35 per month for Medicare enrollees starting in 2024, the disparities persist. Discussions in Congress also explore extending the cap to individuals with employer or individual market coverage.

The analysis reveals that, regardless of global economic shifts, the US insulin prices remained consistently higher when compared to other nations from 2017 through 2022.

This stark discrepancy underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure affordable access to essential medications for individuals with diabetes in the United States.