In his latest attack on the pharmaceutical industry, Senator Bernie Sanders has asked the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate three insulin makers for price collusion.
In a letter sent Thursday, Sanders and Representative Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) referred to a pattern in which prices for insulin sold by Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk often rose in tandem over several years. The lawmakers expressed concern that the drug companies may have been coordinating their pricing and, as a result, driving up the cost for millions of Americans, including both patients and taxpayers.
Their letter cited a recent analysis that found the cost of insulin more than tripled — from $231 to $736 a year per patient — between 2002 and 2013. Meanwhile, since 2009, the lawmakers pointed to 13 instances in which the prices of Sanofi and Novo Nordisk insulin brands rose in lockstep. They said Lilly did the same. The practice is known as shadow pricing and was first reported by Bloomberg News.
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On Jan 1st, 2018, Aetna Insurance (Coventry Medicare) Stopped covering Relion bran Novolin 70/30. I think Aetna Insurance (Coventry Medicare), CVS Pharmacy, and Novo Nordisk conspired to do away with competitors namely Relion (Walmart) by no longer covering the Relion brand Novolin 70/30 insulin.
They forced me to go to the Higher cost Novo Nordisk Brand Novolin 70/30.
I changed to the Novo Nordisk Insulin and after six months I am now in the Donut Hole. Here is why. The cost of Novo Nordisk Novolin 70/30 for me is $843.12 per months. Relion Novolin 70/30 is $124.40. I have used the Relion brand for years. As far as I can tell there is no difference except the cost. I think the three companies conspired to defraud Medicare and charge the Users of Novolin more than is necessary. Now I read CVS and Novo Nordisk is offering a $25/ per vial Novolin 70/30. FRAUD FRAUD FRAUD. I called Medicare and they told me to call Aetna the Company involved in the fraud. This needs to be investigated.
It is not just the Insulin makes, it is the Insurance Companies, Pharmacy, and the makers conspiring to defraud Medicare and the Individuals.
I use vial insulin and have since about 2003. The drug companies are lying and thieves. The pharmacies are lying and thieves. Many insurance companies are lying and thieves. The insurance companies restrict how and where you buy insulin. They get a kick back from the pharmacy they contract with. You end up with a HUGE copay.
Walmart is trying to do something about it. Anyone (diabetic) can walk up to the pharmacy and buy insulin cheaper than the insurance company makes you pay in copays. A little jail time for some of these thieves is in order.
Accusations of price gouging by insulin makers go back to the 1940’s when Lilly started marketing the stuff
Tell us something we DON’T know.
This has got to stop. What is mire detestable than preying on the sick. Dear God!