US man with type 1 diabetes dies after needing to ration insulin

[DCUK NewsBot]

We are extremely saddened to learn about a 27-year-old US man with type 1 diabetes who died after cost constraints forced him to switch to a cheaper insulin and then ration its use. Josh Wilkerson went into a coma in June before being found by his fiancé, Rose Walters. He was taken to hospital but could not be revived. The cost of insulin in the US is becoming a wider known issue as more and more stories emerge of people with type 1 diabetes struggling to afford the life-saving medication. Last month a US senate bill was proposed to bring down insulin costs, which was endorsed by JDRF and the American Diabetes Association. Mr Wilkerson had switched to a cheaper insulin 17 months prior. He had previously been included on his stepfather’s insurance policy which covered Josh up to the age of 25. When Josh turned 26, the insurance policy expired, and Josh needed to self-fund his insulin from that point. Together with Ms Walters, who also has type 1 diabetes, the low-income pair decided to purchase ReliOn, a $25 slower-acting insulin available over-the-counter in Walmart. ReliOn, or Novolin, is a mixed insulin used to improve blood sugar control in adults with diabetes. The insulin combines a mix of a short-acting 'regular' insulin and an intermediate acting 'isophane' insulin. Ms Walters said: "We figured, hey it's $25 we can do that. And we'll just work with it and try to do the best we can. But, the fact that it takes so long to kick in? It scared me a little bit." Mr Wilkerson's mother raised concerns about her son rationing its use. Josh's fiance noted that he’d been struggling with stomach problems and effects on his mood which can be symptoms of struggling with very high blood glucose levels. In June, earning $16.50 an hour supervising a dog kennel in Leesbury, Virginia, USA, he spent the night at the kennels to cover his boss’s absence. After 12 hours without hearing from Josh, Rose went to the kennels to check on him and found him unconscious on the floor. Josh was taken to hospital in a coma and with extremely high blood glucose levels. After five days he was taken off life support. Last week President Trump promised to curtail climbing prices for insulin and other life-saving medications, announcing a formal but preliminary plan to allow US citizens to import certain lower-cost drugs from Canada. He has since announced he intends to make a plan to allow Americans to import Canadian prescriptions, though it's unclear when or how. Picture credit: Rose Walters

Continue reading...

 

[grabarry]

In a rich country like America it’s disgraceful type 1s are being held to ransom for this life saving drug, the Govnt should be footing the bill, Political I know but if they can waste money on pet projects like Space exploration they should consider the welfare of American citizens and make that a financial priority.

 

[Caeseji]

It’s wrong on an infinite amount of levels when someone is denied the basic ability to live. Wasn’t his fault that his pancreas was targeted by friendly fire but it’s the fault of the system for making him so vulnerable.

 

[Mike d]

In a rich country like America it’s disgraceful type 1s are being held to ransom for this life saving drug, the Govnt should be footing the bill, Political I know but if they can waste money on pet projects like Space exploration they should consider the welfare of American citizens and make that a financial priority.

I agree BUT since NASA consumes less than 0.4 % of the annual federal budget, try another expense item.

 

[EllieM]

I agree BUT since NASA consumes less than 0.4 % of the annual federal budget, try another expense item.

Maybe the wall?

But seriously this is not the first news article to come out about US T1s dying because of rationing of insulin. Totally shaming given that Banting and Best originally sold the patent for $1 (or was it $2). The US health care system is one of the reasons (guns and litigation are two more) why I would never consider living there.

 

[kokhongw]

A large part of the problem is also the lack of support/guidance on using low carb to with regular insulin...big pharma's marketing arm has successfully convinced the T1D community that they must use the newer fast acting insulin...the news article continues to reinforced the message that Regular insulin will lead to death...

 

[MeiChanski]

A large part of the problem is also the lack of support/guidance on using low carb to with regular insulin...big pharma's marketing arm has successfully convinced the T1D community that they must use the newer fast acting insulin...the news article continues to reinforced the message that Regular insulin will lead to death...

I think the article was talking about ReliON - a mixed insulin 70/30. Mixed insulins may or may not work for type 1s, it lacks flexibility to correct high bg readings without overdoing either basal or bolus. I actually haven’t heard many type 1s in the uk on humulin R.
Unfortunately insulin prices in the states are outrageous and crazy expensive, resulting in type 1s buying cheap old formulas of insulin over the counter without a prescription. If I had to go back to a mixed insulin, I probably wouldn’t survive very long.

 

[Robinredbreast]

In a rich country like America it’s disgraceful type 1s are being held to ransom for this life saving drug, the Govnt should be footing the bill, Political I know but if they can waste money on pet projects like Space exploration they should consider the welfare of American citizens and make that a financial priority.

I concur with you, at first, when I heard about the soaring cost of Insulin I was saddened that this could happen, but I am furious now, it is appalling.

 

[Robinredbreast]

https://www.t1international.com/usainsulin4allaction/

 

[Robinredbreast]

We are extremely saddened to learn about a 27-year-old US man with type 1 diabetes who died after cost constraints forced him to switch to a cheaper insulin and then ration its use. Josh Wilkerson went into a coma in June before being found by his fiancé, Rose Walters. He was taken to hospital but could not be revived. The cost of insulin in the US is becoming a wider known issue as more and more stories emerge of people with type 1 diabetes struggling to afford the life-saving medication. Last month a US senate bill was proposed to bring down insulin costs, which was endorsed by JDRF and the American Diabetes Association. Mr Wilkerson had switched to a cheaper insulin 17 months prior. He had previously been included on his stepfather’s insurance policy which covered Josh up to the age of 25. When Josh turned 26, the insurance policy expired, and Josh needed to self-fund his insulin from that point. Together with Ms Walters, who also has type 1 diabetes, the low-income pair decided to purchase ReliOn, a $25 slower-acting insulin available over-the-counter in Walmart. ReliOn, or Novolin, is a mixed insulin used to improve blood sugar control in adults with diabetes. The insulin combines a mix of a short-acting 'regular' insulin and an intermediate acting 'isophane' insulin. Ms Walters said: "We figured, hey it's $25 we can do that. And we'll just work with it and try to do the best we can. But, the fact that it takes so long to kick in? It scared me a little bit." Mr Wilkerson's mother raised concerns about her son rationing its use. Josh's fiance noted that he’d been struggling with stomach problems and effects on his mood which can be symptoms of struggling with very high blood glucose levels. In June, earning $16.50 an hour supervising a dog kennel in Leesbury, Virginia, USA, he spent the night at the kennels to cover his boss’s absence. After 12 hours without hearing from Josh, Rose went to the kennels to check on him and found him unconscious on the floor. Josh was taken to hospital in a coma and with extremely high blood glucose levels. After five days he was taken off life support. Last week President Trump promised to curtail climbing prices for insulin and other life-saving medications, announcing a formal but preliminary plan to allow US citizens to import certain lower-cost drugs from Canada. He has since announced he intends to make a plan to allow Americans to import Canadian prescriptions, though it's unclear when or how. Picture credit: Rose Walters

Continue reading...

Trump has a plan for US citizens to import Insulin from Canada ? but many are having to get their Insulin from Canada anyway, because it's cheaper. What a pathetic cop out, the man is an utter disgrace, how many more US diabetics will suffer and die because of this crass individual !

 

[DCUKMod]

Trump has a plan for US citizens to import Insulin from Canada ? but many are having to get their Insulin from Canada anyway, because it's cheaper. What a pathetic cop out, the man is an utter disgrace, how many more US diabetics will suffer and die because of this crass individual !

Robinredbreast - The DCUKNewBot is just that a Bot. I'm only mentioning it, in case you wonder why he doesn't respond

 

[Robinredbreast]

Robinredbreast - The DCUKNewBot is just that a Bot. I'm only mentioning it, in case you wonder why he doesn't respond

Erm, yes I know thank you, I was airing my views to the forum and not to a Bot.

 

[ickihun]

What a disgrace! Shame on the US for allowing such unjust neglect.
I bet if a convict they would hv been better served. Disgrace!

 

[ickihun]

Trump has a plan for US citizens to import Insulin from Canada ? but many are having to get their Insulin from Canada anyway, because it's cheaper. What a pathetic cop out, the man is an utter disgrace, how many more US diabetics will suffer and die because of this crass individual !

I know our PM has more power than any popularity contestant who wins their way into being an American President. Very sad.