The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition Launches Affordable Insulin Project To Make Access To Life-Sustaining Drug More Affordable
TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) announced today the launch of the Affordable Insulin Project, which offers tools, resources, and data to help positively influence affordable access to insulin. The program empowers those affected by type I and type II diabetes with information to mitigate the effects of rising health care costs.
Today 8.4 million Americans living with diabetes use insulin to manage their condition, but high-deductible health plans and increasing monthly costs hinder access to the drug. According to Christel Marchand Aprigliano, CEO of DPAC, "For patients who need insulin, it is critical they take it consistently and as directed, but when the cost goes up, adherence goes down. This creates other health complications, higher health care costs, and an increased burden on the entire system." One in 10 Americans has diabetes, but by 2050 this number jumps to 1 in 3. "It is more important than ever for patients to become an integral part of the discussion on affordable access to insulin — at every step of the supply chain," explains Aprigliano.
The Affordable Insulin Project is specifically geared toward employees and employers, educating them on the barriers to affordable insulin, actions they can take, and the potential economic savings of these steps. The guidance is based on research by Milliman and Lilly identifying two primary approaches for reducing cost sharing: making insulin products exempt from the health plan deductible and offering a rebate percentage discount to patients at the pharmacy counter. Implementing these strategies can potentially save both employees and employers significant short- and long-term medical costs.
Partners of the Affordable Insulin Project include Lilly, National Diabetes Volunteer Leadership Council, DiabetesSisters, Novo Nordisk, College Diabetes Network, JDRF, Children with Diabetes, and Beyond Type 1.
Learn more about how you can help increase affordable access and adherence to life-sustaining insulin for people with type I and type II diabetes at http://www.affordableinsulinproject.org.
The Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC) is an alliance of people with diabetes, caregivers, patient advocates, health professionals, disease organizations and companies working collaboratively to promote and support public policy initiatives to improve the health of people with diabetes. DPAC seeks to ensure the safety and quality of medications, devices, and services; and access to care for all 30.3 million Americans with diabetes. Visit http://www.diabetespac.org.
Media Contact: Christel Aprigliano, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition, 202-629-0400, [email protected]
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SOURCE Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition
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