Dog Insulin

[Mike95060]

Yeah this might be pushing the political boundary just a bit but, The issue of insulin availability in this country goes beyond politics to me. I'm posting this story here for a few more eyeballs. If it turns into a shit fest and gets punted to the politics forum well, so be it.

Have a fun read about another day in America. I swear we are better than this.

https://www.theguardian.com/comment...eP5mN94NAaysllQth8_u2tnq8cdYJUQvnFCESUFkfUxTE

The article is a standard “triumph over adversity” piece until it casually notes in the 17th paragraph: “Williams doesn’t have medical insurance and cannot afford the treatment. So he buys insulin that’s sold for dogs at Walmart for $24.99 per bottle.”

It accepts without comment that insulin costs up to $470 a bottle and that Williams considers himself “super lucky” that somebody told him he could use the cheaper, animal-grade substitute. Super lucky?

 

[byke]

Pretty common in the hobo world to get antibiotics for horses at Tractor Supply for dental infections. Considering the current state of affairs, I also consider it relatively lucky and these little sad-society-perks aren't going to be available forever. Stock up while you can.

 

[295566]

Capitalism is always going to turn into a race to the bottom. Hint: the consumers aren't the ones who "win."

 

[Blankpage]

Insulin in Canada is 1/10 the cost of same in the US. All you have to do is take a road trip. Just don't have a DUI on your record.

 

[Mike95060]

Insulin in Canada is 1/10 the cost of same in the US. All you have to do is take a road trip. Just don't have a DUI on your record.

If you are a diabetic in Texas, that's no small trip.

 

[Blankpage]

There are caravans of buses crossing the border to make the insulin run.

 

[byke]

I'd love to participate in something like this: https://openinsulin.org/

 

[dagle]

mammal insulin is more or less the same stuff. bodybuilders have been doing this for years.

 

[Mike95060]

mammal insulin is more or less the same stuff. bodybuilders have been doing this for years.

Yeah but I imagine QC requirements are different between species for a reason.

 

[Caddywumpus]

Drugs from India had horrible QC for many years and the FDA did nothing.

 

[Archimedes]

There are caravans of buses crossing the border to make the insulin run.

Unfortunately, that's a very small amount of insulin and Canada won't let it get very big because it would cause problems in Canada. My daughter is Type 1, diagnosed 14 years ago, and the insulin situation is criminal IMO. It's not a new drug that needs to be priced to cover R&D investment. It's simply a monopolistic rip off.

 

[Archimedes]

mammal insulin is more or less the same stuff. bodybuilders have been doing this for years.

It's not the same; it's a very different formulation designed to specifically work in canines. Even all the human insulins are not all the same. And it's not clear whether the canine insulin is even manufactured under GMP standards.

 

[bojangle]

Medicare.

Obamacare.

People don't have medical coverage?

That said, the US is subsidizing cheaper prescription access for the rest of the world, and that needs to stop. Big pharma is a necessary evil and our governemnt is failing at their obligation of protecting Americans.

 

[Mike95060]

Unfortunately, that's a very small amount of insulin and Canada won't let it get very big because it would cause problems in Canada. My daughter is Type 1, diagnosed 14 years ago, and the insulin situation is criminal IMO. It's not a new drug that needs to be priced to cover R&D investment. It's simply a monopolistic rip off.

It is absolutely criminal L2G. I hope Insulin is becomes the tipping point in changing or health care system for the benefit of people like your daughter.

 

[byke]

Just read about that, sold it for $1. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

 

[Mike95060]

^ I looked for the 1$ meme, settled for the other pic.

 

[dagle]

It's not the same; it's a very different formulation designed to specifically work in canines. Even all the human insulins are not all the same. And it's not clear whether the canine insulin is even manufactured under GMP standards.

The insulin is the same and released at different rates, correct? The formulation, I think only interacts with speed and duration. In which case, horse or other mammal insulin is close enough to be a good substitute if human stuff is too expensive (in my opinion).

**note: I mean for people who have no other alternative. I am not suggesting people do it just to save a few dollars.

 

[ScorpioVI]

I had Type II bad a few years ago, used to shoot 80-120 units of insulin a day. Even with insurance it got expensive quick. So glad I'm not dependent on that medication anymore but those with Type 1s don't have a choice.

 

[Archimedes]

The insulin is the same and released at different rates, correct? The formulation, I think only interacts with speed and duration. In which case, horse or other mammal insulin is close enough to be a good substitute if human stuff is too expensive (in my opinion).

**note: I mean for people who have no other alternative. I am not suggesting people do it just to save a few dollars.

Formulation is different. Some insulins work better than others for certain people, particularly for diabetics with other immune systems issues.

I was just reading an article this morning about a diabetic who had strokes due to using poor quality insulin. Drugs that work in animals do not always, or even typically, work the same in humans.

 

[Archimedes]

Just read about that, sold it for $1. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

The current insulins shouldn't be priced at a dollar, as there is significant cost investment to develop the various insulin formulations on the market today and they have greatly improved the drug, to the benefit of patients, over time. But a reasonable price is way below what they're charging today.