House committee launches investigation into rising price of insulin

WASHINGTON, Pa. — A state House committee has launched an investigation into the rising price of insulin.

11 Investigates recently crossed the border into Canada to show our viewers how far people from Pittsburgh are willing to go in order to get the drug they need to keep them alive.

On Tuesday, the House committee listened to patient advocates explaining how some diabetics have to come up with more than $1,000 a month for insulin.

Lawmakers are now looking at the cost of the lifesaving drug and the health and financial effects of significantly rising prices.

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Most insulin costs between $2 and $6 to manufacture, but diabetics can end up paying more than $400 a month.

From 2002 to 2013, insulin prices tripled.

They doubled from 2012 to 2016.

Patient advocates said diabetics are rationing their insulin, which is making some sicker and killing others.

Insulin makers place the blame on price negotiators.

At a hearing next week, the committee will have a chance to ask insulin manufacturers and price negotiators about rising costs.

Cox Media Group