WHO looks to increase the supply of insulin

Today is World Diabetes Day, and the WHO just launched a new initiative to make insulin more accessible. Nearly 65 million people globally have type 2 diabetes, and an additional 20 million have the  type 1 form. Rising prices — because insulin is largely made by three manufacturers — have made the drug difficult to get, even for those in high-income countries. Over the next two years, the WHO will use its "prequalification" program to encourage generic makers of insulin to have their product evaluated by the WHO for quality, safety and efficacy. Getting the WHO's stamp of approval will expand the pool of available insulin manufacturers to drive prices down. It will also allow United Nations agencies and NGOs to distribute these generic versions of the drug to those most in need around the world.