Access to insulin: a comparison between low‐ and middle‐income countries and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Insulin was discovered 100 years ago but, sadly, across the globe there are significant inequities in access to this life‐saving medicine.Here, the authors investigate such inequities, the challenges of available and affordable insulin, its delivery systems and blood glucose monitoring. Challenges not only include costs but also the lack of expertise in managing diabetes care.Now is the time for those in the diabetes community to come together to address the global issue of access to insulin for all.

Building sustainable capacity for better access to diabetes care in low‐resource settings: A critical review of global efforts and integrated strategies

“…According to sources from WHO, access to insulin for four countries in 2019 was 13% [ 16 ]. Challenges of unavailability occurred at various levels of the health sector [ 16 ].…”

“…According to sources from WHO, access to insulin for four countries in 2019 was 13% [ 16 ]. Challenges of unavailability occurred at various levels of the health sector [ 16 ]. In the same year, intermediate‐acting insulin in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Peru was 61% and 100%, respectively [ 16 ].…”

“…Challenges of unavailability occurred at various levels of the health sector [ 16 ]. In the same year, intermediate‐acting insulin in secondary and tertiary hospitals in Peru was 61% and 100%, respectively [ 16 ]. In a similar development, a study published in 2019 indicated that the mean availability of insulin in 13 low‐ and middle‐income countries remained between 55% and 88% in a facility where they should be available [ 17 ].…”

“…According to estimates from the International Diabetes Federation in 2021, out of 537 million people with diabetes worldwide, approximately 80% are from low‐income countries and require insulin therapy [ 23 ]. In coupled with this, the commercial value of insulin in these regions varies by type and country, and manufacturer's are unwilling to disclose prices [ 16 ]. In 2016, prices from 13 LMICs ranged from $USD 2−25 for human insulin and $USD 22−106 for analog insulin (10 mL vial of 100 IU) compared with data from UK Drug Tariff prices, where LMICs were paying more for analog insulin [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…In coupled with this, the commercial value of insulin in these regions varies by type and country, and manufacturer's are unwilling to disclose prices [ 16 ]. In 2016, prices from 13 LMICs ranged from $USD 2−25 for human insulin and $USD 22−106 for analog insulin (10 mL vial of 100 IU) compared with data from UK Drug Tariff prices, where LMICs were paying more for analog insulin [ 16 , 17 ]. In another report made in 2019, median government procurement prices were $5 and $33 for human and analog insulin, respectively, and patients had to pay $34 in public hospitals and $44 in private pharmacies and hospitals for analog insulin [ 16 , 17 , 24 ] (Figure 3 ).…”