Insulin makers are back in the hot seat

Two bits of insulin news are catching my eye. The first is the launch of a new campaign called Affordable Insulin Now, which is being launched by Health Care Voter, the Democratically-aligned pro-Obamacare group co-chaired by ALS activist Ady Barkan, Queer Eye superstar Karamo Brown, and actress-turned-activist Alyssa Milano. The group is already out with a powerful ad, and has protested outside the headquarters of Eli Lilly. I’m paying attention because insulin affordability is one of those failures in our health care system that’s hard for drug makers to explain away, and grassroots activists have largely succeeded in turning this into a national issue. Now with the PR savvy of Health Care Voter and these celebs taking on the issue, it’ll be even harder for insulin makers to avoid the spotlight.

Second is a new bill from Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) that would require insulin makers pay into new state-administered insulin emergency funds. The funds would pay for short-term supplies of insulin for uninsured or underinsured patents at risk of rationing insulin, according to a summary. It’s a novel idea that I imagine could get some Republican support. That being said, the bill also has a number of provisions that most Republicans won’t like, including a measure that would cut biologic drug exclusivity and another that would penalize insulin makers for both past and future price hikes. Worth watching to see if this emergency fund idea catches on, nonetheless!