A snapshot of the price of glargine insulin in 47 countries | May 2023 | Download PDF
In 2022, the World Health Assembly set a target of 100% of people with type 1 diabetes having access to affordable insulin and blood glucose self-monitoring. Human insulin (regular and NPH) has been on the World Health Organization (WHO) List of Essential Medicines (EML) for decades. Glargine, a long-acting analogue insulin, was included in the EML in 2021. Previous studies have consistently shown analogue insulins are high priced, and unaffordable for those on low wages. So, between 10 March and 20 April 2023, the Addressing the Challenges and Constraint of Insulin Sources and Supply (ACCISS) Study took a global snapshot, covering 47 countries, of the prices people currently pay for glargine insulin and its affordability.
This snapshot survey demonstrates glargine prices are highly variable across countries. High prices are a burden when people must pay out-of-pocket. As this snapshot shows, glargine affordability is a serious issue, especially for people on a low wage living in lower-resourced countries.
Recommendations
- As part of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and to achieve WHO’s target, governments must ensure glargine and other insulins are both available and affordable to all people who need them.
- UHC must also include insulin delivery devices, blood glucose self-monitoring devices, and care.
- Availability, prices and affordability of insulin and the associated devices need to be regularly monitored, with the findings made transparent to help people in accessing treatment.