Despite recent price cuts, some people still find it difficult to pay for insulin.

NORTH TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) – Millions of Americans still cannot afford insulin, a life-saving drug for diabetics, despite recent steps to reduce costs.

Nadia Stanbuck was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was only 3 years old. The disease is all-consuming.

“I wish it was day by day, but it’s literally minute by minute,” her mom Natalie Stanback said. “He is constantly present. So when she wakes up, our first thought is: what is your blood sugar level?”

While other families are most concerned about paying off a mortgage or a car, the Stanbacks often pay thousands a month to keep their insurance and provide Nadia with the medical equipment and insulin she needs.

“It robs me of sleep, it takes my breath away, it makes my heart beat really, really fast because insulin is something my daughter can’t live without,” Stanbeck said. “In some cases faster than water.”

When Eli Lilly announced last week that it would cut prices by 70% and limit out-of-pocket insulin spending to $35 a month, Stanback was initially skeptical.

“I wasn’t worried,” she said. “I was fine, let me read the fine print.”

It turns out there is no trick. Nadia is already using Eli Lilly insulin and will soon see the benefit of the price reduction.

But this is not good news for everyone.

“Seven out of 10 people taking insulin today are taking non-commercial products, so many people still need access to more affordable insulin,” said Aaron Turner-Phiefer, advocacy director for nonprofit research organization JDRF. The foundation is looking for a cure for type 1 diabetes.

According to a 2021 Rand Corporation report, in 2018 the average price of insulin in the US was 10 times higher than the average price in other wealthy countries.

“This is not only an exclusively American problem, it defies the logic of the economy,” said Turner-Fiefer. “We have drugs that have been available for the better part of 30 years, but for various reasons have risen in price despite the competition.”

Skyrocketing costs can have life-or-death consequences.

“Unfortunately, we have situations where patients have to ration other expenses or can’t even afford insulin,” said Dr. Adenike Atanda-Oshikoya, clinical pharmacist at the HSC Senior Health Center. “We also had some patients who stopped and didn’t tell us and then we see them a couple of months later and their numbers are really high or they are in the hospital now because they had an episode of high blood sugar.” .

Improperly treated diabetes can lead to serious complications such as vision loss, kidney failure and stroke.

Eli Lilly’s price cut is a step in the right direction, but advocates say more drug companies, politicians and insurance companies should also take action.

“Our ultimate goal is for people to have the freedom and peace of mind that no matter what happens in life, where they work or where they are, they have access to affordable insulin,” Turner-Fiefer said.

While the fight is far from over, the Stanbacks are grateful that the cost of insulin is now the one thing they need to worry about less.

“And I think it gives hope to everyone who is facing this uncertainty and insecurity with medication,” Stanbeck said.